ITS AN UPDATE OMG OMG OMG!

Ruffnut couldn't believe how stupid she had been. She knew she was reckless, but now she had put Astrid in danger. If Hiccup hadn't found them, who knows what could have happened. As she sat in the forest with Stormfly, waiting for someone to come and help them like Hiccup had promised, guilt filled her. Her ankle was throbbing like crazy. When Tuffnut, Fishlegs, and Snotlout came crashing through the trees, she was so relieved she could have hugged them. Instead, she gave each of them an affectionate punch on a shoulder. Fishlegs examined Stormfly's wound and declared she would be okay as long as they could stop the cut from getting infected. Together, the guys managed to help Stormfly along. Ruff limped behind, refusing any of their offers to help. She found a long stick on the ground and used it to help her support her weight.

Where I realize I could have said it all a long time ago...

King Fergus and Queen Elinor stared down at me from their thrones. I knew how strange I must have looked, with my hair all over the place and my face red from crying. Also, I just broke off wedding plans, so there was that too. Merida stood next to them, leaning on her mother's chair.

"So far, you have brought two dangerous dragons into my castle walls, and you are saying you cannot get married," Fergus said.

"We didn't know about the dragons," my dad said forcefully.

"Do you realize what is at stake here? The peace between our kingdoms will be jeopardized," Elinor said. I wanted to jump up and yell that I didn't care, but I knew that wouldn't get me far.

"Why do we need a marriage to trust each other?" I asked shakily.

"It's a vow that will bind us together. It will ensure the safety of our clans. Your dragons are dangerous. We have seen their power before, and when under the control of humans, they can be used for unimaginable evil," Fergus said.

"Then why didn't we attack two years ago? Do we look evil? Do we act evil?" I asked. The entire time, my voice was quiet.

"It is an insurance for us. No one can tell what the future will bring," Fergus said.

"But why does it have to be marriage? What ever happened to an honest word?"

Fergus didn't respond.

"Merida, what do you say. This marriage was your idea," Elinor said. I looked at Merida, hoping for some back up.

"I never wanted to go through with it," she said. "I thought if I could bring us together, you'd see we don't have to be scared of them."

My mind began to wander to thoughts of Astrid.

"So the dragon, that was your idea too?" Elinor exclaimed. Merida shook her head.

I wanted to run and sit by her side, to hold her hand and ask her to wake up.

"No! I would never bring them here on purpose," Merida said. "That was a bonus," she added quietly. "But don't you see? The dragon's aren't dangerous."

She looked so pale before.

"They could be if-"

"No!" I blurted out loudly. Everyone turned to face me. "We would only use the dragons to fight if we needed to. We aren't going to go flying around wreaking havoc and causing war just because we want to!" I yelled.

"You cannot talk to me like that," Fergus growled.

"I'm not trying to disrespect you-" I started.

There was a small knock on the door before it opened. Fishlegs pokes his head in the room.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt, but, Hiccup, we have Tuff and Stormfly. I need some help getting Stormfly to calm down so we can take the arrow out," he said.

"Soon," I told him, though I would have much rather be taking care of a temperamental dragon than staying in the throne room. Fishlegs nodded and ducked out, closing the door behind him.

"Why now?" Elinor asked once he had gone. "Why not just say you didn't want to get married from the beginning?"

"Trust me, I did," I mumbled, casting a short glance at my dad. "But I thought if I could find a peaceful way to break the marriage, then you would see that you don't need it to create peace,"

"Can't you see that you are trying to do the same thing as we are?" I asked. "You just want everyone in your kingdom to live in peace, and that's what we want too. But a marriage means nothing without love. It's the love that's the bond, not some wedding contract.

"I'm already in love, with an amazing girl, and I would sooner die than lose her." I let out a short breath. I had said my piece. If they didn't accept it, I didn't know what else I would do.

"While I agree with you..." my dad began after a long pause. I looked at him in surprise. He agreed with me? "...I may have another solution. Hiccup, the book."

"What?"

"The book!" Merida exclaimed.

"The book?" Fergus wondered.

"The book..." I murmured.

"What book?" Elinor demanded. I smiled at my dad and ran out of the room. I heard King Fergus yelling for me to come back, but I kept running to my room.

I stopped in the doorway when I saw Astrid lying on my bed, her chest rising and falling slowly. One of the women from before was putting a bandage on the cut on her head.

I walked to Astrid's side and brushed her bangs away from her face. I wanted to stay beside her, but I knew I had to return to the Throne Room.

I reached under the bed and gathered all my papers. I stacked them up and, kissing Astrid's forehead quickly, ran out of the room again.

I'm just writing and writing and writing! Well, I guess that is really to be seen, considering the shortness of this chapter. WOOT! GO ME!

You are all awesome, just so you know :)