I think this has to be a new record for me. Over 4000 words in a week! And I started swimming training this week as well. Wow. This is kinda two chapters in one, but I wanted to get all the build up out of the way in one chapter. So here you are.
I make reference to a few Gaelic words in this chapter, and I probably will make more in the future, so I apologise if anything is incorrect as I had to use the 'trusty' internet.
Also there is reference to faeries in this chapter, and once again there will probably be more in the future. I will try my best to make everything clear, but I can get a bit carried away when talking about faeries so let me know if you don't understand something, and I will remedy that.
Any Gaelic or faerie references that aren't explained in the chapter will be explained in the AN at the end, if I remember. Enjoy!
Hiccup
I watched the dark silhouette of a bird soar high above. Very high above. But the tall mound of unforgiving rock next to it was even higher. And I had to climb it.
"The Crone's Tooth," Merida confirmed from beside me, gazing upwards.
I'm pretty sure my mouth was hanging open, but I didn't bother to check.
"Are you scared of heights?" she asked.
"Not normally, but I've never been that high alone," I answered, still staring at the rock.
She gave me a slightly confused look, then shrugged, turning to pat Angus, who was busy consuming every shred of grass in his reach.
We had somehow managed to escape the castle without guards, but not without help. I was a bit confused when Merida stole a whole platter of sweet buns from the kitchen and led me to the triplets' room, but it soon became apparent why. Those three boys were sneakier than a hungry Changewing.
"Remind me why I have to do this."
"Formalities, mainly. Think how great it would sound in the history books," she offered, still stroking the horse. "Besides, you got yourself into this, you had a chance to back out."
"Me and my big mouth," I muttered to myself.
She shrugged again, fiddling with Angus' mane.
"You said you climbed this?"
"Yup."
"Wow."
"Indeed, and didn't nearly wet my panties at the thought of it either."
I shot a look at her, and she gave me a coy grin, a teasing twinkle in her eye.
"You wouldn't be saying that if you knew about the things I've done," I retorted.
"Oh really?"
"Yes, really."
"Let's have it then."
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"In other words, you made them up."
"Did not!"
"Come on then."
"Ah, I see what you're doing, but you will never get me to reveal my secrets!"
She pouted, and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Damn you Hiccup!"
I gave her my best cocky smile and returned to ogling the rock formation.
The smile quickly turned to a grimace.
"Hey Merida?" I asked, trying to keep up with her and Angus on our way back to the castle.
"Yes?"
"I know I'm not meant to be left alone, but would it be too much to ask if you covered for me while I went and spent some alone time? I really need a break, and some time to get my head around this quest thing." I know it was a long shot, but I really needed to see Toothless.
She gave me an analysing look.
"I know you're probably up to something, but we've broken heaps of rules already, what's one more going to hurt?"
"Thanks, and stop thinking I'm out to hurt you and your people."
"Yeah, yeah, you're here to make peace and rainbows and all that. Just get out of here."
"Will do! See you later."
"Don't be gone to long, your absence will be noticed!"
I ran into the forest, down the path I took when I first came here.
Toothless. I was about to reunite with my best friend.
Merida
I watched the stringy boy race into the forest. I don't think I've ever seen him move that fast. No way was I believing he was just going for a stroll in the forest. I moved Angus onwards to follow him.
I'm hiding my best friend. Was that what this was?
He took a path that was horribly familiar. I hadn't been down this path since that fateful day. I sighed. Fate had a terrible sense of humour.
I followed the path, a crown of messy auburn hair leading the way.
We went around a corner, and I briefly lost sight of him. As the path straightened I searched for the little figure again. A groan of frustration escaped my lips. I'd lost him. He wasn't on the path anymore. I paced Angus up and down the path, but there was no sign of him.
With another exasperated noise I turned Angus down another path, towards my target range. Hiccup's face appeared on all the targets, just before I let the arrow loose.
How could I lose a boy with a metal leg in a forest that I knew my whole life, and he knew for the sum of ten minutes?
This boy was one mystery after the other.
Astrid
"They can't have gone too far," Stoick tried to reassure me.
"It's the Twins. With them, who knows?" I responded, flicking my fringe out of my eyes.
The Twins hadn't returned last night, and I had a horrible feeling it was my fault. Hiccup had never lost them for this long.
"I should go out and look for them," I said, pacing in front of the chief in the Great Hall.
"And where exactly do you think they might be?" he asked, leaning back on his seat. He didn't look at all worried. Why wasn't he worried?
"Probably on some little rocky island in the middle of the ocean, playing they're stupid game."
"Oh?"
"Yes, oh." I was starting to get aggravated. I was sure this was going to be a problem. I just knew it. Stoick lent forward in his seat again and grabbed my shoulder, stopping me midstride.
"Astrid, I know you're worried, but the Twins have gone missing plenty of times before. They always come back and, mostly, intact. We have to keep our heads and focus on keeping Berk running. I could spend every minute of every day staring out at the horizon, waiting for my son to come home, and leave my people to fend for themselves. But I'm their chief and I'm stronger than that. I know you are too."
I wanted to burst into tears, right there and then. But I don't cry. I am a Viking. Vikings do not cry.
I nod at him. I am strong. I am stronger than any other boy here. I can deal with this. No problem.
"If you need me, I'll be training in the forest." I picked up my axe and hefted it in my hand. Time to kill some trees.
I walked out of the huge doors of the Great Hall, trying to make myself angry. Anger was good. It erased fear, it erased guilt, and it erased misery. But as I made my way to my usual training grounds, I couldn't help admitting something to myself. Under the anger, all the feelings were still welled up, and it failed to hide my loneliness from me.
I missed Hiccup.
Hiccup
After a little bit of searching I finally found an opening to the clearing that I had hidden Toothless in. However, before I could even step into the clearing, I was overcome by a tornado of black scales with glowing green eyes.
Toothless jumped straight on top of me and gave me a massive slobbery lick.
"Missed you too bud," I said wryly, trying to wipe the saliva of my face while still pinned underneath him.
He jumped up and bounded around me twice before coming over and nuzzling me into an upright position. He did another lap before angling himself so his saddle was exposed, inviting me for a ride.
"Sure thing, Toothless." I stood up and went stepped up to climb on. Just as I was suspended halfway between the ground and his back, he took off sideways, dumping me on the ground.
"What was that for?!" I barked at him. He just gave a huffy laugh then sat back on his hind legs, giving me his most innocent expression.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. You're mad at me. Do you want to go flying or not?"
He gave a longing coo. With that, I climbed on and we took off at great velocity. I whooped with glee, before realising where I was. I quickly steered Toothless out towards the sea, where no one would be able to look up and see us.
We looped, spun and sped through the sky, making a great racket all the while. We flew and flew and flew. I closed my eyes, dreaming I was at Berk, my home island just behind, and the empty sky ahead. I missed home. Scotland had weird, rich food, too soft beds and overly extravagant ceremonies. Not to mention the fact that I could practically never get a moment to myself. Then again, it was like that most of the time at home as well.
Toothless gurgled underneath me and I looked up. The sun had moved across the sky and had started its descent towards the horizon. I gave a sad sigh, and turned Toothless around. Merida was right, I would be missed.
We spiralled back down to the clearing. I gave Toothless a massive hug, and he made a woeful warble. His pupils were big and sad as I let him go.
"Good boy, stay." I sniffled a little, and gave him a small wave and smile. He just moaned before curling up in his little shelter with a sigh. I nodded and started back towards the castle.
I was halfway back to the castle, when I heard a steady pounding noise behind me. The pounding was then joined by laborious breathing, and finally an oscillating figure. The figure consisted of a big dark horse with a white stripe down its face, and a girl in a long blue dress and flaming red hair. Merida. She had her bow slung over her shoulder, as usual.
She pulled up next to me, almost running over me with her great mountain of a horse.
"Hello, rùn-dìomhair," she said breathlessly as she halted Angus.
"What?" I replied, somewhat dazedly.
"Rùn-dìomhair, it's Gaelic for mystery."
I frowned slightly.
"In that case, I will be your dashing and very handsome rùn-dìomhair."
She laughed, "Well you butchered the pronunciation, but we'll go with that."
"Very well my lady," I mocked, bowing with a flourish.
Her laughter became even more boisterous. When she finished she turned to me.
"On other matters, I believe I promised you a ride on Angus." She jumped off the sweaty horse and started fiddling with the stirrups.
"What! No, I can walk, it's fine."
"You aren't scared, are you?'
"Of course not. Such a beast couldn't scare me!" I cried in my best Viking voice, all the while eyeing Angus cautiously.
"Up you get," she said, gesturing to the saddle. I looked up and down the beast.
"Uh, how?"
"You put your left foot in this stirrup, then swing around, pulling your other leg over the horse and into the other stirrup."
"Oh, easy-peasy," I replied sarcastically.
"Yes it is. Do you need a leg-up?"
"No, I can manage it." I stepped up to Angus and stiffly lifted my leg up to the stirrup. However, we both realised at the same time that my metal leg was not going to stay in the stirrup.
"Okay, maybe you'll have to get on the other side," she suggested.
"Why does it matter anyway?"
"So you don't stab yourself with your sword when you mount up."
"Of course, silly me, I was really worried about my sword," I gestured to the empty space where the sword would be.
"Just shut up and get on the horse."
I tried again, placing my right foot in the stirrup on the other side. I tried pulling myself up, but nearly fell on my behind.
Merida rolled her eyes.
"Here," she offered, placing my left foot in her hands and helping me onto the horse.
"Thanks," I smiled sheepishly.
She checked the stirrup length again then led Angus forward. She looked up at me and rolled her eyes again.
"These are reins," she said, holding up the strap connected to Angus' mouth. "You hold onto them, and use them to steer the horse."
"Oh, right," I commented, dumbfounded, grabbing the reins.
She further explained the use of the reins and my legs, while leading Angus down the worn path.
It was very different from a dragon. The steering system was a lot more complicated and I was meant to kick him if I wanted him to move forward.
"Can't I just ask him?" I asked when Merida told me this.
She snorted, "You can try if you want."
I leant forward towards Angus' ears. "Hey, Angus, would you mind going a little faster."
He flicked his head, but made no other move. Meanwhile Merida was trying to control a fit of laughter. I frowned at her, and went back to trying to remember how the reins worked.
"We're almost back. Let's try a trot."
"Wait, what?" It was too late. She pulled Angus forward, jogging next to him. Angus picked up a new gait, which was faster and a lot bouncier. My first instinct was to hold on tightly to the reins, but that just irritated him, so I grabbed the front of the saddle and held on tight.
After a few torturous minutes of bouncing, we reached the gates to the castle.
"Here we are," she called up to me, smiling evilly at my flushed face. "We should do this again."
I slid of Angus' left side and collapsed on the ground.
"Maybe next time we can try a canter," she continued.
"Never. Never, again," I gasped, lying flat on my back.
She just continued to grin manically.
Merida put Angus away in his stable, and we headed back to the castle.
So, on the outside she was a sweet, maidenly princess, but within lurked a creature of the dark, preying on innocent men. I would have to warn Dad about these Scottish women when I got back. If I got back, I reminded my giddy mind.
Merida
"Hi Dad," I called, marching in and grabbing some food off the table.
"Afternoon Merida!" he answered with his usual gusto. He was half-heartedly trying to teach one of his hunting dogs, Hendrik, to shake his paw. He'd being trying for weeks now, with little success.
Hiccup wandered in vaguely behind me. I tried, once again, not to laugh. His hair looked like a bird had made its home in it, and he'd then walked through a hurricane. His face was still flushed and he looked like he was about to collapse where he stood.
"What have you two been up to?" Dad asked, also noticing Hiccup's peculiar appearance.
"I took him for a ride on Angus," I replied, a little hiccup of laughter escaping my lips.
Dad gave me a disapproving look, but he could never hold these looks for long, and was soon beaming again.
"I take it he wasn't keen on it then?"
"Not particularly," Hiccup answered, flopping down on one of the seats.
"Well you better recover soon, if you want to succeed in your challenge tomorrow," Dad suggested.
"What!" We both exclaimed at the same time.
"Well, it sounds like our little laddie here is being missed by his tribe, so we better get these formalities out of the way so he can go home. We don't want an armada of Viking ships arriving on our doorstep."
I may have pouted a little. I hadn't realised it, but Hiccup's visit had been a breath of fresh air, something new and exciting. When he went home, I'd be left once again with my lessons and my mother's suitors.
"What about the whole issue of Hiccup's tribe not actually agreeing with this treaty," I asked, holding my breath for an answer.
"That is still an issue, but Hiccup is the chief's son, and even if his father doesn't agree, Hiccup is the future. If we don't have an alliance now, we will have one day, with Hiccup's help."
Well, someone had changed their tune.
"What happened to the 'we can't trust him' attitude?" I prompted.
"Ach, if he has an ulterior motive, I can't work it out."
Through the entire discussion, Hiccup sat there, trying to look interested in our conversation, but looking like he was about to nod off. I sighed.
"Very well. Tomorrow, when the sun is at its highest, Hiccup proves his 'loyalty' to us by climbing the Crone's Tooth, defying death for a higher cause. So I say it, so mote it be."
I gave a mocking bob of a curtsy before striding out of the dining hall. However, just after my dramatic exit, I quickly spun back on my heel and poked my head through the door.
"Hiccup! Come on!"
The boy jerked his head up from where it had been resting on the table, and quickly came trotting after me. And I kept thinking men were complicated.
"Where are we going?" he asked when he caught up with me.
"I don't know. Somewhere peaceful."
I was about to stride up the stairs, the roof of one of the turrets on my mind, when Hiccup stopped, staring at a large intricately carved door. Bears, of course.
I walked back to join him.
"What's in there?" he queried, tracing the carvings absent mindedly with his fingers.
"Just the library," I shrugged, about to drag him onwards.
"What's a library?" he continued. I sighed, did this boy know anything?
"A place where books are kept. Now let's go!"
"Books?" he instantly perked up and opened the door, heading straight in.
"Wait, what are you doing!?" I called after him, but he was lost to me. I followed him in.
I found him in one of the aisles, staring in awe at all the books.
"This is way better than the apples," he murmured to himself. He found a book and started flicking through it.
I moaned in frustration. I was just thinking how much fun he was to have around, then he went and pulled a stunt like this! Why was I even kidding myself, thinking for even a moment that men were simple?
"Fine, you have fun with your books. I'm going to do something interesting," I huffed, and strode off. I don't think he even noticed my absence.
Elinor
I was shocked when I found the young Viking in the library. I was just looking up some statistics on the McGuffin clan when I found the boy sitting on an old rug, encircled by towers of books.
How curious, a literate Viking.
"Good evening Master Haddock," I greeted him. He glanced up from his book, only just recognizing my presence.
"Oh, hello… err, your majesty. You can call me Hiccup, I'm not used to being called 'Master' anything."
"Of course," I inclined my head in acknowledgment. "I say, I'm a bit shocked to see you so keen on Scottish literature."
"Huh, well, I'm not like most Vikings."
"I suppose not. What is your area of interest?"
"Well, there are many intriguing things here, like your culture and history, but what I'm really interested in is your creatures."
"Creatures?"
"Yes, the daoine sìth, the sea monsters and spirits."
I gave a somewhat hesitant laugh.
"And why would you be interested in such things? They're just myths."
"Are they really just myths? Then why do you have so many books on things that don't exist."
"Scottish people are very superstitious. They'll create creatures to explain anything. There's a creature called an alp-luachra in a nearby country, or a joint-eater. Supposedly, if your struggling to gain any weight, this faerie is eating half of your food, and the only way to get rid of it is to eat very salty beef without a drink, and lay with your mouth open by a running stream, so it gets thirsty and jumps out. Do you really find that realistic?"
"Okay, so maybe that story is a bit far-fetched, but what about the others? Pixies, nixies, banshees, selkies?"
"I've seen Will o' the Wisps before," I admitted.
"What are they?"
"Lost souls, they lead us to our fate."
"I'm not sure I'd trust lost souls to lead me anywhere."
"I suppose it does seem unwise."
"But…?"
"But they do seem to be very good at it."
"Really? So they mean well?"
"Oh, no, not always. They may have good intentions at heart, but they're just as likely to lead you to your death as to victory."
The boy nodded and peered back down at his book. This was a conversation I definitely wasn't expecting to have. He had broken down my defenses, which was probably why the next little bit of curiosity slipped off my tongue.
"What's the story behind your leg? Fergus has a very exciting story to go with his. Mystical creatures maybe?"
The Viking glanced down at his metal contraption of a leg.
"Oh, no. No mystical creatures for me. I fell into a pond of very hungry goldfish."
I couldn't help but laugh. The boy was quite amusing.
"You don't find my story exciting?" he questioned, smiling mockingly at me.
"Oh, quite the opposite. I think it is quite thrilling."
"You really have to watch out for fish, they're deadly cunning."
"Indeed, I will."
With another little laugh, I trod out of the library, a silly smile on my face. I shook my head and scolded myself. Keep your mind on the job. This is not a social gathering. But the little smile kept creeping back.
The next morning….
The sun's rays were just beginning to greet the dew ridden land of Scotland. All was peaceful. Shepherds were just beginning to prepare for a day's work, bakers were warming their ovens and a few, more fortunate people, were taking the chance to sleep in.
However, in a little forgotten corner in the Kingdom of DunBroch, a ruckus was beginning to stir. A great two headed beast had arrived in the forest, with two young, loud, Viking riders astride each head. The forest held its breath as the strange party arrived.
"We found it. We found a new country. Let's call it Tufftopia!" the male Viking bellowed.
"I thought Ruffmania sounded better," the other replied.
They both glared at each other, still sitting on top of their dragon.
"I've got it!" the male cried, "We'll call it the Democratic Republic of Nuts."
"I love it!"
The two jumped of their scaled companion and glanced around them.
"I think this place has potential," the female said, twirling one of her long, blonde braids.
"Yeah! Let's blow it up!"
"Ah-ah, first we must do a risk assessment, find what will burn the best!"
The two started exploring the area, dragon in tow.
It wasn't long however, before they were met with a curious sight.
As they were debating the flammability of a nearby tree, they heard a small gasp.
They turned to find three young red headed boys staring, not at them, but at the two headed creature behind them. The boys were loaded with various cakes and pastries, having just stolen them from a nearby bakery.
"Aww man, someone beat us to the Democratic Republic of Nuts, now we'll have to find another country to hide in."
"We could still blow up this one…"
"Of course, but it needs to be spectacular."
"That's our specialty." The two hi-fived, more or less ignoring the triplets, who were slowly creeping up to the dragon.
Their attention was finally drawn to the boys when they heard a raucous giggling, interrupting their planning. They turned to find the three boys on their dragon, two controlling the heads, and one on the tail.
The beast appeared to be enjoying itself, though it was a bit hard to tell as it was constantly moving. Suddenly the tree that they were recently debating over was on fire, as the triplets worked out the controls.
"Told you that tree would go up like a treat," the male spoke, before his twin elbowed him in the ribs.
"Barf! Belch! What are you doing?"
The dragon pulled to a halt, and the boys groaned in disappointment.
"Well, hello there," the male Viking spoke.
The triplets giggled and slid off the dragon, running to line up in front of them. The twins studied the damaged tree.
"Looks like we've found ourselves some new recruits."
One of the boys tugged on the female's sleeve and then they raced into the forest.
Anyone who happened to be in this remote part of the forest would have seen three young red-headed princes, followed by two lanky, blonde Vikings, and finally a two headed dragon. This person would have probably thought themselves mad, and taken themselves to be treated. Others, however, would have seen a recipe for trouble.
daoine sìth- A general word for the fae.
I did some research on the Will o' the Wisps, and there was very little reference to the Scottish version of them. The first recorded mention of them in Scotland is in the late 1800's and Brave is set roughly in the 900's. They are more commonly known in Wales and a little bit in Ireland. There are versions of them all over the world though, even in Australia. They are nearly always wicked beings, who like leading travellers astray. However, we know the Wisps in Brave are at least sometimes nice, so I'll have to stick with that, well, at least a little bit.
I definitely played to my strengths in that chapter, faeries and horses! The Twins are my favourite HTTYD characters, other than Toothless. I wanted to give them a big part in my story, as I was really disappointed that they didn't have much of a role in the second movie, especially poor Tuffnut.
One more week of school left, meaning more writing time! Yay! Hope you enjoyed, and expect thing to get a bit stranger here on in.
Oh, and a big thank you to all those who have fav/followed/reviewed etc. Please leave a comment!
