Chapter 21: Engagement Party for the Unsuspecting.
-One Year later-
Hiccup's hands shook as he pocketed the small box in his trousers.
A soft knock was heard, and he turned around to see his mother entering the room.
She looked absolutely beautiful in an olive green, silk dress. It had long sleeves and a V shaped neckline; the bodice hugged her curves, and the skirt flowed down beautifully. Her hair was up in an intricate bun muxed with a few braids here and there.
"Everybody's waiting" she said, and went to stand next to Hiccup, infront of the long mirror.
"You look fine, Hiccup." She said as she watched him turn sideways glancing at his reflection with doubt.
Hiccup smiled and turned away from the mirror.
"Is she here?"
Valka nodded. "She's been here. She and her family arrived just after you came up to get ready".
"Oh".
"Yeah, now come on, I don't want my future daughter-in-law to get frustrated and leave her own engagement party.
Valka pushed Hiccup out into the hall and closed the door. They made their way to the ball room in silence, where she waited, not suspecting a thing.
...
Merida watched from her seat as Rapunzel and Jack glided through the dance floor, a look of pure joy and love in their eyes. They looked perfect. Rapunzel looked beautiful in her golden dress, which seemed to shine under the chandalier, making her look like a sun goddess, and her braided hair which cascaded down her back and trailed behind her.
She hated to admit that part of her envied them. If only she and Hiccup could have that.
After Pitch was destroyed, everyone went back to their kingdoms. Merida had been happy to find everybody alive and well when she returned. Her brothers, now devilishly handsome teenagers, had welcome her with tight hugs.
She had cried as she watched her dad make his way towards her. She could see happiness in his eyes, but also great sorrow. Merida reminded Fergus of Elinor, and everytime he looked at her, he couldn't help but feel a touch of sadness.
Elinor had left them too early, thanks to a sudden sickness that had spread around the kingdom. Nobody knew what it was, and nobody could cure it, not even Rapunzel.
Merida could still remember the day young Rapunzel arrived at the castle. They were both just small children, Merida's brothers were only a few months old.
She had big hopes that Rapunzel could cure her mother, with the power of the magic flower that now resided in her hair. But when Rapunzel came out of her mother's chambers, the look in her eyes said it all. Merida knew then that her mother wasn't going to survive, and she cried that night, while her mother held her tightly.
The things she said to Merida that night, her final night, would stay with her forver.
-"Now, my Darling, there is no need to cry" Elinor said as she smoothed Merida's hair.
The little girl hugged her mother, as if her life depended on it.
"How can ye say that. Ye are going to leave me" she sobbed.
Elinor shook her head.
"Merida! Look at me!" she said, and Merida did. She sat up and looked at her mother.
She was pale, really pale, and thin. In the last few months, Elinor had lost an immense amount of weight.
"Oh Darling" Elinor caressed Merida's cheek and wiped away her tears.
"I'll never leave youh, don't you know... I will always be here" she placed her hand on Merida's heart, then hugged her.
She began to sing the ancient lullaby that her mother had sung to her when she was just a babe.
Merida fell asleep to the sound of her mother's beautiful voice lulling her to sleep.
But... when she woke up that morning, Elinor was gone.-
"Um... Merida... Hello?" Hiccup waved his hand infront of Merida's eyes. She blinked and then looked up at him.
"Are you okay?" he asked, concern filled his voice.
Merida nodded "Yea, Ah was just thinking".
Hiccup held out his hand and she took it.
"About what?" he asked as he led her to the dance floor.
"My mum" Merida admitted.
Hiccup nodded, but didn't press the subject, if Merida wanted to talk, then she would.
They began dancing, Merida's red dress flowing as they moved, and surprisingly enough, the looked just as graceful and lovestruck as Jack and Rapunzel, who had noticed them dancing and smiled at them.
They smiled back, and Jack winked at Hiccup. He knew all about Hiccup's proposal, and enjoyed the nervous look that Hiccup got on his face.
"Ye alright, Hic?" Merida asked.
Hiccup nodded, "I'm fine".
They danced until the song ended. Then, as everyone went to their seats, Hiccup grabbed Merida's hand to stop her from going to hers.
"Uh... Hiccup?" she asked, casting him a puzzled look.
Hiccup looked at her, then directed his attention to the people infront of him.
"Everyone! I have an announcement to make" he said loudly.
The room grew quiet and every pair of eyes were now on Hiccup.
"Hiccup, what are ye doing?" Merida asked him in a hushed voice.
Hiccup ignored her.
"You see this woman right here?" he asked as he pointed at Merida.
"Well, this woman, to those of you who may not know, is the most stubborn, frustrating, hot-headed, reckless, and wildest woman I have ever met" he said.
Everyone gasped, and Merida turned red, but Hiccup wasn't done talking.
"But she is also gorgeous... and kind... and strong, really strong... funny, and most of all, brave. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, aside from my mother" Hiccup said and he could see Valka smile at that.
"Merida... in all of my life, I have never laid eyes on a woman as beautiful as you, both inside and out".
"You make me laugh when I am sad, you also make me mad, and a lot of the times you also make me want to rip my hair out, but overall you make me want to be a better person. By your side, I have expirienced the wildest adventures anybody could only dream of."
"We have fought together, cried together, laughed together, and I couldn't think of anybody else to spend my life with" Hiccup got on one knee and pulled out the small box, but didn't open it yet.
"When I am on the ground, beaten, tired, and ready to give up, it is you who holds out her hand and helps me up. You correct me when I am wrong, and aren't afraid to put me in my place... I have never loved someone as much as I love you... and it is with all of my love, that I ask you... Will you marry me?"
Hiccup got on one knee and held out the small, red velvet box infront of him and opened it. Everyone gasped, again.
Merida stared at the golden ring with a medium sized ruby.
She looked at Hiccup, who waited anxiously for her answer, and her eyes filled with tears. She placed her hand over her heart and nodded.
"Yes" she said.
Hiccup smiled and let out a breath her hadn't realized he was holding.
He put the ring on her finger, then got up and pulled her in for a kiss.
Everyone clapped, and Jack whistled, making both Hiccup and Merida laugh.
"Well everyone" Jack called out, "I think its time we really celebrate. I want everyone on the dance floor right now".
Everyone danced alot that night, to say the least, and Hiccup was happy to see that Merida's smile had not once vanished.