Life in Merida's castle was real different from what you could imagine a princess life should be. Everyone was in such a hurry all the time, and people weren't very polite. Elsa was surprised to see that less than half of the population knew how to eat with fork and knife. It was also nice. Everyone in the town already knew each other, so it was like a big family. Jack had a great time playing with Merida's little brothers, and Merida's father was also pleased to meet a Viking, since they were so great warriors. Hiccup spent the whole afternoon telling him every dragon story there was to tell. Meanwhile, Merida tried to teach Anna some archery, but it was difficult.
"Man" Merida thought "This girl just can't be quiet. She'll end poking someone's eyeball out" No one ended hurt, though. Well, ALMOST no one.
But these one-day-long vacations couldn't be eternal...
-So, you're saying you know where Sandy's portal is? – Jack asked.
-Sure! – Merida answered – Scotland is a land for legends. And there's an old story which is about the Sand Man.
Jack and company all listened with wide attention:
-Once upon a time, it is said that the Sand Man caused a gold rain. Each drop was supposed to create a dream. But one drop got lost, and landed in soil. And a golden flower grew from the gold drop. A flower that is said to heal every injury – she looked at Hiccup's shadow black arm – EVERY injury.
-And since magic always react to its owner... – Jack guessed.
-It's possible that the golden flower leads us to Sandy's place.
-What are we waiting for, then? – Anna asked, excited.
-We are waiting for the flower's location – Elsa calmly said.
-Yeah, about that... – Merida explained – I have...
-One request – Jack guessed.
-One request, that's it. I want ya to take me in your team.
-What? – Elsa couldn't believe what she was hearing.
-You see, my mother thinks that I won't be able to be a queen by myself. She wants me to marry one of the descendants of our neighbour clans.
-But that's terrible! – Anna exclaimed, alarmed.
-Yeah – Hiccup agreed – You should be able to marry the one you love...
-That's it – Merida said – and if I succeed in a mission like this one, I'll show her that I can be independent.
-But that's not a game – Elsa tried to explain – if we are all participating in this mission is because we all have abilities that may help, and...
An arrow passed beside Elsa's neck and hit the centre of Merida's family shield. It had a bear painted on it, and the arrow had just hit the eye.
-Is that helpful enough for ya?
Jack's mouth drew a single word: WOW.
-However – Jack said – we have to get there fast, before Pitch does.
-What if me and Merida go ahead? – Hiccup asked – Merida knows where the golden flower is, and now that Toothless is with us, he'll allow us to travel faster. He can't take all of us, though. Jack and the frozisters can travel by foot.
-By foot? – complained Jack.
-Frozisters? – complained Elsa and Anna.
Anna grabbed an arrow and threw it with indignation towards her newfound nickname. They saw the arrow fly towards the shield, and pass through the bear's heart.
-That... was... AMAZING, YOUNG LADY! – Merida screamed – you may not be very good with a bow, but throwing arrows like darts is totally your style! I wonder what ya could do with some well-balanced knives...
