Chapter 8: The Dance

Merida's POV

Hiccup and I walked through the halls of the castle, both of us reading a book. I had noticed that Hiccup had been more distant since our trip to Berk.

As we walked, Hiccup gasped.

"Wow, it's beautiful."

I looked to see the ballroom all clean and refurbished. I smiled.

"Yes, it is."

"Do you know what we should do?" Hiccup said to me, looking a bit nervous.

"What?"

"If we had a dance here?"

I nodded.

"Would you like to?"

I looked at him with surprise. "Really? You want to?"

"Kinda. Do you?"

I didn't know what to say, but then again, my birthday was coming up, I had to hurry.

"Yes, I would love to."

Hiccup smiled.

"Alright then, I'll see you tonight." Hiccup said as he walked away.

I just stood there in shock.

Hiccup's POV

I shut the door to my room. I ran my fingers through my hair.

"Why did I do that!?"

"Do what my dear?" Maude asked.

"I just asked Merida to dance with me in the ballroom."

"AAAAAAAAA" Maude sang. "The time has come. Here my dear. Let me help you get ready.

Merida's POV

I was in the tub getting washed up for the big night. Macintosh is there with me, but behind a curtain.

"Tonight is the night!" Macintosh said excitedly.

"I'm not sure I can do this."

"You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold, daring. Besides he asked, you said yes."

"Bold. Daring."

I emerged from the tub and shook myself dry.

"There will be music. Romantic candlelight provided myself, and when the time is right, you confess your love."

"Yes, I - I con-No, I can't."

"You care for the man, don't you?"

"More than anything."

"Well, then you must tell her."

Marcus had been cutting my hair. It finishes and steps back.

"Voila. You look so...so..."

Cut to shot of BEAST in pig-tails and bows.

"Stupid."

"Not quite the word I was looking for. Perhaps a little more off the top."

Marcus begins to cut and chop again. Dingwall enters.

"Ahem ahem ahem. Your gentleman awaits."

General POV

Hiccup stood on one side of the room at the top of a staircase. He wore an extravagant blue coat and very ruffled shirt. His jacket had gold trimmings on it.

Merida was able to find a dress to fit her. It was golden and puffy.

Hiccup walked down the stairs and extended his hand. Merida shyly put her paw forward and took his hand. As they stepped onto the dance floor, Andre started to play. Mrs. Potts and her three sons watch from on top of Andre while the other watched from the door.

Hiccup led Merida to the dance floor where He bowed then she bowed. He extended his hand. She took it, and they began to dance.

Andre started playing, Marcus began to play the violin, and Mrs. Potts started to sing.

Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly

Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast

Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
And ever just as sure
As the sun will rise, woah

Tale as old as time, a-a-ay
Tune as old as song, oh
Bitter-sweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong

Certain as the sun
Rising in the east
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast

Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast

Hiccup led Merida outside. Merida smiled as they sat down on a bench.

"Hiccup, are you happy here?"

Hiccup nodded.

"I must admit, I am."

But then Hiccup looked away into the distance.

"What is it?"

Hiccup sighed. "I wish I could see my mother, just one more time."

Merida looked, then smiled.

"There is a way."

Merida led him to the west wing. She handed him the mirror.

"This mirror will show you anything. Anything you wish to see."

Hiccup grabbed the mirror.

"I wish to see my mother, please."

The mirror glowed, and the image appeared. Valka was lying in a snow bank unconscious.

"Oh no, she's alone, he could die!" Hiccup stopped

"Then...then you must go to her."

"What did you say?"

"I release you. You are no longer my prisoner."

Hiccup looked at him in amazement. "You mean...I'm free?"

"Yes."

"Oh, thank you."

He looked at the mirror. "Hold on, Mom. I'm on my way."

Hiccup turns to leave, then turns back and pushes the magic mirror back to Merida.

Merida pushed it back. "Take it with you, so you'll always have a way to look back, and remember me."

"Thank you for understanding how much she needs me."

Hiccup turns to leave, and Merida looks down in depression. He touches his hand to her cheek and rushes out. Hiccup runs past Dingwall, who has entered the room.

"Well, Mistress. I must say everything is going just peachy. I knew you had it in you."

Merida looks very sad. "I let him go."

"Ha ha ha, yes. Splendid-" Dingwall stops in the middle of his sentence. "You what? How could you do that?"

"I had to."

"Yes, but why?"

"Because I love her."

The others walked in after hearing that.

"Then why are we not human?" Macintosh said

"Because she doesn't love him." Mrs. Potts said

"And now, it's too late."

"But she might still come back," Sorcha said.

"No. I set her free. I'm sorry I couldn't do the same for all of you. Now, go. Our time is almost past." Merida said.

The others left sadly. Merida's heart broke as she watched them.

I was the one who had it all
I was the master of my fate
I never needed anybody in my life
I learned the truth too late
I'll never shake away the pain
I close my eyes, but he's still there
I let him steal into my melancholy heart
It's more than I can bear

Now I know he'll never leave me
Even as he runs away
He will still torment me
Calm me, hurt me
Move me, come what may
Wasting in my lonely tower
Waiting by an open door
I'll fool myself; he'll walk right in
And be with me for evermore

I rage against the trials of love
I curse the fading of the light
Though he's already flown so far beyond my reach
He's never out of sight

Now I know he'll never leave me
Even as she fades from view
He will still inspire me
Be a part of everything I do
Wasting in my lonely tower
Waiting by an open door
I'll fool myself; he'll walk right in
And as the long, long nights begin
I'll think of all that might have been
Waiting here for evermore

Merida found herself on the top of the tower, watching Hiccup ride away.

Got it done.

Thanks for all the support you've shown this story.

The Songs Used in this Chapter are Beauty and the Beast by Emma Thomson and Evermore by Dan Stevens

Thanks for Reading. Please Review. Chapter 9 will be here soon.