Hi! Sorry I took so long this time. School has been hectic (tonnes of RE homework yaay!). To be fair, this is also the longest and most involved chapter I have written so far.
Also I wanted to quickly add to my comment in the AN in the last chapter. I really don't have a problem with Mericcup and I definitely don't think HTTYD fans can't love Mericcup. I just struggle writing it, due to my own personal feelings towards HTTYD. Sorry again.
Enjoy reading (please!).
Hiccup
The castle loomed over us, the towers reaching high into the clear blue sky. I followed the girl- what was her name? Marie? Mira? Merida. That's right. She walked at a very fast pace with her bow slung over her shoulder and her quiver at her waist. I was struggling to keep up, especially with my leg playing up. So I stumbled along behind her and her horse.
We came to a large gate at the fortress wall.
"So, we just waltz in through the front door do we?" I asked, hobbling as I tried to keep pace with her.
"Yup, why wouldn't we?"
I glance at her then, curious.
"Tell me, what is your relation to the King and Queen of Scotland?"
She eyed me cautiously, as if getting ready to gauge my reaction.
"I'm their daughter."
"What?!"
She huffed and rolled her eyes at me, muttering something under her breath.
"Now don't you go and start grovelling and calling me 'your highness' and all of that nonsense."
"I wouldn't dream of doing such a thing." My head was whirling and I was having extra trouble with my leg. So she must be a relation to Seorac after all.
Well at least we seem to be on good terms. For the moment.
She looked at my expression and gave an exasperated sigh, but then my leg caught on a rock and I nearly fell over, again. She eyed me, trying not to smile. Then, seeing my face as I tried to compose myself, she exploded into a bout of laughter, chortling away, leaning on the horse for support.
"You daft creature you," she remarked, almost falling over herself, "don't you think I look like a princess?
"Well, err, I…."
This just made her laugh harder. Well at least she wasn't offended.
"Well, to be honest, I don't really know what princesses are meant to look like."
"I suppose you haven't met many?"
"No. I haven't."
She pulled the horse into a stable and started taking off his gear.
"What's his name?"
"Angus. I should take you for a ride sometime, if you're still around later."
"I would like that." I smiled at her. How hard could it be? I was the first dragon rider, a horse shouldn't be much trouble.
"Hey, by the way, what happened to your leg? If you don't mind me asking."
I looked at my fake leg and shrugged.
"Oh that. That was the result of a tragic accident involving a butter knife."
She snorted, and her hand flew up to her mouth in surprise. Then she threw her hand back to her side.
"Screw it, Mum isn't around to hear," and she gave another little laugh. I just stood there, slightly confused.
Finishing with Angus, she started to head towards the castle.
"Come on you. Time to meet my parents, and hear that long story of yours. I suppose now would be a better time to tell it?"
"I guess so." I was getting nervous; now was the point where I started the path to peace, or to war.
Stoick
"Absolutely not!" I tried to rub the knot of tension located on the bridge of my nose.
Astrid sat in front of me, with a very familiar look on her face. I had seen my son wear it many times.
She requested that we went after Hiccup, who had, of course, run off to make friends with the Scots, and supported him, whether it was in making peace or war.
Of course, he'd managed to keep Scotland a secret for the sum of one night.
"Look Astrid. I'm worried for him. I really am, but charging over there with our dragons and an army will not help him."
"I'm not suggesting we take an army. Just me and the other dragon riders, but of course we'll take the dragons."
"Yes, I admit that would be better, but I still do not want to send you kids over to a hostile country in chase of my renegade son."
She scoffed.
"We have proved over and over again that we are capable, Stoick. We really do not need to have an argument every time conflict arises!"
"But this isn't just some stray dragon wreaking havoc, this is an entire country who hate Vikings!"
"And your son is there- alone!"
I winced as Astrid voiced the thing I'd been trying to ignore.
"I know. Don't remind me."
Her eyes widened as she watched my worried expression. Her voice softened.
"Please, let us try. We are all willing. Just let us help your son."
"Okay. As long as your families agree, okay," I surrendered, feeling miserable.
Her entire face brightened.
"I don't know what Hiccup's been complaining about all these years, you're perfectly reasonable!"
I frowned at her, then relented, giving her a small smile.
"One question," she added, "which way is Scotland?"
"Oh. Umm, the thing is- we don't actually know."
"You mean Hiccup is the only one who knows where it is?"
"Yes."
"And he's in Scotland."
"Yes."
We regarded each other carefully, having reached a conversational stalemate. Then something snagged in the back of my mind.
"He did give us one clue though."
"Yes?"
"North-west."
"Got it."
Merida
I led Hiccup into the castle, quickly asking Maudie where Mum and Dad were.
In the throne room. Typical.
"You ready?"
"Yes," he replied tugging nervously at his shirtsleeves.
"Oh they're not that scary! Well, Mum can be sometimes, but don't worry about that."
He gulped.
"Come on," I grabbed his wrist and started dragging him.
We arrived at the throne room. I stood in the doorway, Hiccup hidden behind me.
"Mum? Dad? I brought a visitor with me. He wishes to speak to you."
"Merida? Okay, bring him in. Be prompt about it."
"Yes, Mum. Alright Hiccup, here's your chance." I gave him a reassuring grin before striding into the room.
Mum and Dad appeared to be going over paperwork, much to my father's dismay.
"Mum, Dad, I introduce to you Hiccup-" I frowned, I couldn't remember the rest of his name, "well, I'll let him introduce himself. Hiccup, this is King Fergus and Queen Elinor, my parents."
Mum grimaced at my poor introduction. Hiccup walked nervously to the centre of the room, wobbling on his prosthetic leg.
"Elinor! He's missing a leg like me!" Fergus chortled.
"Fergus! Now is not the time. Be nice to the poor boy."
Hiccup stared down to the ground, then looked up at them, meeting their eyes.
"King Fergus and Queen Elinor of Dunbroch, my name is Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third." He gave a small bob of a bow.
Mum eyed him suspiciously.
"That is not a Scottish name, Master Haddock."
"No it is not. I am Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, son and only heir to the chief of the Hairy Hooligan tribe." He was no longer the nervous boy, he stood strong and proud, watching the King and Queen unblinkingly.
Dad nearly fell out of his chair, while Mum's eyes widened and her mouth almost dropped open, which would have been very un-lady like. Me, I just watched from the side, not really sure what to think. So, he was a Viking. Intriguing.
"What!?" Fergus cried.
Mum kept a little more composure.
"What brings you here?" She looked almost nervous. Dad had his hand on his sword. I frowned at him. Couldn't he see how little a threat Hiccup was?
"Well, like I said to Merida, it is a very long story. Do you want to hear it now?"
"I think we can make the time." Fergus said, shifting his position on his seat, staring wide eyed at Hiccup, still in shock.
"Well then. The first thing I'll say is I am here on my own. Against my father's will."
"Oh really?"
"Yes really." He stared strongly at Dad.
He continued on to tell his story. How he had overheard his father discussing Scotland with his elders, and how they had never resolved their conflict. He explained how before then, he did not know Scotland even existed. Hiccup felt this was wrong so he came here to negotiate with us, to end our ignorance of each other. He met me in the forest when he had first arrived. Since then he has been trying to find his way here.
Even I had to admit it sounded suspicious. I narrowed my eyes at him.
"And why should we believe you?" Dad asked, also looking wary.
"Because, look at me, I came here on my own and I stand in front of you unarmed, completely vulnerable, telling you I am your long lost enemy. We Vikings may not be the best at cunning plans, but we're not this stupid."[1]
Dad stroked his beard in thought.
"Yes, well, the problem is we don't remember a huge amounts about the Vikings. You could be lying."
"If I am, what am I going to do?"
"Fergus, let the boy stay. If there is any sign of trouble, we will exile him immediately."
"Or worse." Dad added darkly.
Hiccup puffed out his chest, looking quite silly, but very masculine.
"I would never do anything of the sort."
"Fine he can stay. Discussion will start tomorrow." Dad said, nodding tightly at Hiccup. "Guards! Take this boy to one of the guest rooms and make sure he doesn't get up to anything."
I thought Dad was overdoing it a bit, but Hiccup was quite the puzzle, and not to be trusted. I watched the guards, who were not so lethargic anymore, guide Hiccup upstairs.
The problem was that I felt I already did trust him.
Hiccup
Okay, so I lied, a lot. Even about being unarmed. I may have been the least Viking-like Viking there ever was, but some of their habits did rub off on me. One of those was to always carry a weapon. I had a dagger hidden in my only boot. And, of course I didn't really come here alone, Toothless was here.
Hmmm, how was I going to visit him with all these guards around? He'll only obey my orders for so long before he gets worried. I'll come up with something. Later.
The guards led me up a flight of stone stairs. Merida ran up from behind and fell into stride next to me, much to the irritation of the guards. Then she punched me, on the shoulder. This seemed to be a very familiar situation. I briefly wondered if a kiss would come next, before completely dismissing that ridiculous idea. She definitely was not Astrid! Still…
"You're a Viking! And you waited until now to tell me, in front of my parents!"
"Well, to be fair, we did only just meet." I objected, rubbing my shoulder.
"Yeah and you've already been inside my home and met my parents. I only just learnt where you're from!"
"Sorry about that. I meant well."
"Aha. Well you do realise your story sounds ridiculous. No one believes it."
Huh, and I gave them the more believable version. This could be interesting.
"Oh really? Well I'm here to tell you that no matter what story I give you, my intentions are pure."
She snorted.
"Hah! Pure? I don't think so."
I shrugged.
"So be it. Have it your way. But I really do mean to bring peace between our tribes. It's what I do, my profession."
"Yes, but at what price?"
"That is a very good question. However, that part is up to you."
[1] They need a Baldrick! (Blackadder reference).
I know I said this would remain Hicstrid, but Hiccup is a teenage boy and he's allowed to fantasise occasionally! ;)
So there you go. I hope that wasn't to confusing. Please review! Thank you.
