The rating goes up now so please read the warnings for each chapter as there may be something that you don't like.

It was Spring Break this week but for me it was anything BUT a break. Studying for a diploma rewrite (still not done) and reading a 300 page novel (still not done either). The only reason I was able to update now was because I wrote when I had inspiration.

WARNINGS: language, alcohol, brief yaoi, mentions of sex, nudity, and prostitution.

Chapter #27: Pleasure and Love

Jack's POV

Everyone seemed to be in a sour mood today. Hendry was very quiet and did not even make any sarcastic remark as he left like he had for the past week. Merida didn't seem to be in a better mood either as she went into the forest without Angus. Another thing I noticed was that she was wearing a dress with a high collar, something she never did. I had tried to ask Rapunzel but she was silent.

I was worried about her. Ever since she lost the baby, she was dead. She never smiled, she never laughed, nothing. It was as if her very spirit had left her body, forbidding her from ever feeling happy. Since the miscarriage, she only sat in front of the fireplace, just staring at nothing. I dare say that it scares me.

Wiping the sweat off of my brow, I took aim at the log standing in front of me. In a practice move, I swung the hatchet and sliced the log into two. I stared at the large pile of wood and decided it was enough for now.

I carried the wood into the house and Rapunzel saw in her usual spot by the fireplace. I sighed and carried the wood to the basket beside it. Crouching down, I fed the fire with another log when I suddenly heard a sniff. I turned. My heart broke when I saw a tear rolling down Rapunzel's cheek.

"Is one child too much to ask?" She mumbled. I scooted closer to her and touched her hand, looking when I felt something else. Rapunzel was cradling a doll but it wasn't just any doll. It was Diana's. Trying to keep the tears from escaping, I cupped her face. She looked back at me briefly before bursting into tears, "How can this be God's plan for me? I don't understand!" She brought her hand to her eyes. At that point I couldn't keep my tears back. Several drops rolled down as I pulled her towards me and embraced her. She continued sobbing into my shoulder as I stroked her hair. It took a long time before her sobs became less violent. I pressed a kiss to her forehead,

"I don't know why terrible things happen to us but I have to believe that something good will come out of it." I whispered. She looked up at me and nodded a little. I gave her a small smile and pecked her pink lips, "We'll get through this, Punz. I promise."


Hiccup's POV

The Transylvanian Inn was a welcoming sight. It was filled with a sea of men, with the exception of the whores seducing a customer. There were 9 of them, all of them pretty. About 3 of them were with the musicians, singing and dancing. When I listened, I heard them singing a song half in Gaelic and English. From the words I could understand, the song was about a never-ending celebration, filled with wine and music.

"Hendry Gallach?" A voice called. I turned to the origins and saw Cairbre Donaghue staring at me, "Don't remember ever seeing you here." I was about to reply when he held up his hand and gave a charming smile, "No matter. Take whichever spot suits you." He said before turning to another customer. I nervously looked around the tavern. All the tables were occupied except for one that sat forgotten in the corner closest to the fireplace. I sat down there. I enjoyed the privacy. It allowed me to ponder the question that had bugged me since my encounter in the forest,

Had I made the right decision? Is this really for the best?

My peace was short lived as a prostitute had seen me.

"My, you're a handsome one." She complimented. She sat down beside me, lowering the fabric of her low-cut dress so much I could nearly see her nipples, "These make you weak in the knees?" she teased. I began blabbering like an idiot and quickly looked away, feeling my cheeks turn red, "Oh, you're a virgin are you?" She gave the most childish giggle as she placed herself on my lap and wrapped her slender arm around my shoulder,

"Abi, let the lad be. I can tell he has no interest in women tonight." A voice said behind me. Abi let out a flirtatious groan and left my lap to flirt with another. With a feeling of relief, I turned to look at my rescuer.

She was a woman that I hadn't seen upon entering. She was wearing a dark blue dress with a brown stay over it. The dress had a very wide neckline, showing her pale, slender shoulders, and was tattered at the bottom, revealing her bare legs. She had large blue eyes, lightly curled red hair and round face. I nearly gulped at the resemblance she had to… I turned away,

"No thank you?" She pouted. I felt her petite hand on my shoulder, "You wound me, sir." I looked up at the woman. She looked upset but her child-like grin said otherwise. She let go of my shoulder and looked at Cairbre, who had snuck over without me noticing,

"I must say, Maireada," he said, "for a whore, you do show a lot of decorum." He lifted his hand and tried to stroke her cheek but Maireada grabbed his wrist harshly, seemingly unimpressed with his advancements,

"You may think me naïve, Cairbre, but I'm no fool either." She let go of his wrist, "I do not fall for the petty advancements of foolish men and I, most certainly, do not give my body to them as readily as others!" At this point, the entire tavern had fallen silent at Maireada's lecture. I, myself, was flabbergasted. It was entirely unheard of for a whore to belittle and lecture their customer.

Maireada must've noticed the silence as she looked around the tavern at her gawking audience. She snorted loudly and turned back to Cairbre,

"If you want my bed so desperately, you must first prove to me that you are no fool." With a small swish of her ripped dress, she left the tavern. The aura of merriment that had existed took a while to return. I was still staring at the door when Cairbre suddenly spoke,

"She's a fine one, isn't she?" I nodded.

"She definitely feisty." Just like…

"Impossible to seduce that bitch!" A drunken man roared, "But I like a challenge!" He stood up onto the table and yelled to the entire tavern, raising his tankard, "Here's to the challenge of seducing the whore Maireada!"The men roared and the girls giggled.

"Here, try this." Cairbre said, placing a large pint in front of me, "Bevvy's on me." Hesitantly, I took it.


Jack's POV

I will never understand how he does it but, Hendry has the uncanny ability to disappear. O had looked everywhere. He was not in the smithy, not in the kitchens, even the guards at the gate had told me that he hadn't left.

I let out an exasperated groan in the middle of the empty market. Where was he? In the distance, I heard the loud, rowdy noises of a tavern. My eyes fell upon the Red Tartan. I knew that Hendry would never go there. It was the place where the whores of the Red Apple and the Blooming Rose did their work, the place where even the most respectable men lost all their dignity to the temptation of drink.

But…

Hendry had seemed very upset and angry today and had a whole bag of money to spend. Where else would men spend so much money?

I was by the door before I realized what I was doing. I wasn't welcome in this tavern. never have been. I bite my lip and entered.

The stench of alcohol was overwhelming and made me feel sick. The tavern was very crowded and everyone seemed to be gathering around one spot. I moved closer and watched as Hendry, barely keeping his balance on a table, chugging down a large pint. He kept chugging and chugging at the pressure of the other men around him. He gasped for air and the men cheered loudly. Hendry smiled, holding the tankard up proudly and nearly losing his balance.

"Another!" He screamed, smashing the tankard to the floor. The equally drunk men roared with laughter and Cairbre happily refilled their pints. He just refilled Hendry's when he spotted me

"Overland! What are you doing here?!" The room was abruptly silent. Everyone stared at me, all merriment that had previously perfumed the air was gone. Everyone in this room knew that I wasn't welcome here. Damn the MacInroy clan!

"I'm here for him." I pointed at Hendry, who had sluggishly got down from the table with the help of those that were as drunk as him, "Hendry, let's go."

"I don't want to go!" He pouted like a child, earning boisterous laughing. Annoyed, I grabbed his collar and dragged him out of the inn. I continued to drag him until we were almost home. I threw him into an alleyway. He collapsed onto the ground, cradling a bottle he had managed to sneak out of the tavern.

"Are you absolutely out of your bloody mind!?" I screamed as he took a large chug out of the bottle,

"No, I'm sure I'm absolutely in my mind." He slurred and chuckled at his own joke. He readily took another chug,

"You fool! What if you told the truth about what you really are?" He swallowed a rather large mouthful of alcohol before he replied,

"I have been telling the truth. I just haven't been telling all of the truth." He lifted the bottle again,

"Give me that!" I snatched it out of his hand and smashed it to the ground. Hendry groaned loudly and annoyed,

"Stupid Englishman." He muttered loudly. That was the final straw. I roughly grabbed him by his collar and dunked his head repeatedly into a filled rain barrel. He started coughing but I kept going. I finally stopped when he started gasping for breath. He collapsed beside the barrel and I allowed him to regain his breath before I took his arm, wrapped it around my shoulder and started a slow walk home,

"Jack, have I ever told you that you're absolutely gorgeous?" He slurred,

"What?" I stopped walking and stared at him. He stared back with the most love-struck look a drunk man could muster,

"You really are beautiful." I was going to say something but he stunned me to silence when he suddenly kissed me. It was brief and awkward. He pulled away and smiled, "Take me home, darling?" I was stunned.

"That might be a good idea." I stammered. We continued our very slow walk. As we approached home, I prayed that Hendry wouldn't remember what happened. But I smiled when I realized that he going to have a big headache in the morning.


Third Person POV

The sun was setting on another day as Hiccup walked slowly through the market. He was headed towards a place called the Red Apple. According to a drunkard from last night, it was the place where Maireada worked and lived. Never in his life had Hiccup thought that he would go to a brothel. He had been told from a young age that brothels were the very source of evil and should be avoided at all costs. But something was pulling him to it.

Perhaps it was Maireada. Something about her attracted him. She reminded him an awful lot of…

Hiccup shook his head and continued walking towards his destination. As a man had told him, Hiccup found the Red Apple near the entrance of the slums. Compared to its surroundings, it was rather large and well-built. Hiccup stared at the building for a while before taking a deep breath and entered.

Immediately, he was hit with the scent of flowers and perfume. The foyer was a large, extravagantly decorated room with a broad stairway in the middle leading up to the second floor. Adjacent to the stairs stood plants and several benches, most of them occupied by young girls, all waiting for customers. There were several other girls wandering around the room or the stairs but none were the one Hiccup was looking for.

"Good evening, sir!" A woman cried. Hiccup looked up and saw an elder woman coming towards him with spread arms. She was wearing a modest dress and several bracelets and necklaces. Hiccup suspected she must be in charge as no ordinary prostitute would dress in such finery.

"What is it you seek in my humble establishment? Pleasure? Love?" A couple girls nearby giggled and Hiccup blushed.

"I-I came seeking Maireada." He stammered. The girls fell abruptly silent, knowing that he would be just another victim to her rejection.

"Did I hear my name?" Almost in sync, everyone looked to the stairs. There, at the top, stood Maireada. She scanned the room until her eyes fell upon Hiccup, "Oh, hello again." She said softly, slowly walking down the stairs towards him, "What brings you here?" Hiccup gulped and took a step away from the elderly woman in front of him. Maireada continued her walk until she stood directly in front of him, staring at him with her large blue eyes. Hiccup blushed,

"I came seeking you."

Maireada gave a low seductive chuckle that would've had most men crumble to their knees. she began a slow circle around Hiccup, looking him up and down with teasing eyes. The other girls knew what Maireada was doing. She wasn't teasing or seducing him; she was inspecting him.

Maireada returned to the spot of origin in front of Hiccup. After only moments, she turned back towards the stairs, purposely swaying her hips in an exaggerated manner. She stopped on the first step. With a stare over her shoulder, she beckoned him to follow her. Hiccup obliged, oblivious to the soft, unified gasps of the other girls.

They walked up the stairs and took a left at the top into a long corridor with countless doors on either sides, the walls glowing a bold but dull red. Behind nearly every closed door he passed, Hiccup could hear the faint moans or the screams of pleasure. He blushed again.

Maireada stopped at a random door to the left and opened it, allowing Hiccup to enter first before she did. Considering the setting, the room was average but richly decorated. The furniture was no more than a bed, a dressing table, and a chair but the tapestry, the carpet, and the drapes hanging from the center point above the bed and twirling down beside it gave the room such a vibrant and expensive glow that it could make even the richest lords jealous.

Maireada sat down at the dressing table and looked at her collection of 12 expensive perfumes, deciding which scent she wanted. After a moment's deliberation, she picked up the bottle containing the rose scented perfume,

"You must be wealthy." Hiccup commented as she applied the drops of scented water along her neck and collarbone,

"Not at all," came her chuckled response, "I just have a few wealthy admirers." She carefully resealed the bottle and gently put it back, "But all of them are fools." She rose from her chair and joined Hiccup by his side, "And I will not have fools in my bed, Hendry Gallach."

"And I'm no fool to you?" Maireada looked at him. Slowly, as if with caution, she gave him a small but passionate kiss.

"No." She answered when she pulled away, keeping her grip on his shoulders. They stood silently, Maireada waiting for a sign of consent. She didn't have to wait long as Hiccup leaned down to capture her pink lips in a more passionate kiss than before. She gave a child-like giggle as she wrapped one hand around his shoulders, tugging at his green tunic, while the other made quick work of his belt, letting the leather and the money pouch it carried to clatter to the floor.

Everything escalated so quickly for Hiccup. One moment the stood there, kissing Maireada with an odd heat and tightness forming in his pants, and the next, she pushed him onto her bed.

She skillfully took off her stay and threw her ragged green dress over her head into a forgotten spot, leaving her behind her curvy, naked body. She crawled onto him like a cat, sliding her hands under his tunic and pulling the fabric with her. After discarding the tunic, she began planting kisses on his body, starting by his collarbone and moving down his chest.

When she kissed the bulge expanding in his pants, Hiccup gasped and began panting. He had never felt something like this but Gods, did he like it.

Maireada gave a low, grow-like sound at his gasp, her hand reaching up to the ties of his pants,

"Feels good, doesn't it?" She asked, not expecting a reply as she slowly began to undo the knot, "But you'll see that it gets better."


Hiccup's POV

For three nights, I returned to the brothel. For three nights, I slept with Maireada. My heart was screaming at me every time to not do it, to be a good boy and stay home and cry about the pain in my heart instead of wasting it on another. But the scream of my mind yelled louder, yelling at me to be a man, to do what others would do. It was telling me that if I focused on what I left behind, I would never be able to see what was ahead.

I always followed my mind.

Maireada stirred against me, taking me out of my pondering. She yawned and rose stretching. I couldn't help but allow my eyes to wander over her, taking in her glorious nude body and her prominently displayed ample bosom. One of her hands weaved through her ginger locks and she turned her head and smiled at me like a cat,

"Morning" She whispered seductively.

I felt myself harden at her whisper but I tried to suppress it. This was wrong but only now did I realize why. I love a woman with my very being and yet, I'm sleeping with another. I didn't love Maireada; I thought I did but it was merely an infatuation.

I sighed and got out of bed, finding my braie and pants. I heard Maireada sigh and plunk herself back on the bed,

"Goodbye, my lover" She whispered. My pants were just tied when she said that. I turned to look at her,

"What?"

"You're leaving and not coming back." She said, pulling up the thin sheet to cover herself. I was going to retort but she silenced me, "You can say otherwise but if you've been in a profession as this for as long as I have, you learn to read people." She looked at me, "I read you and now I know why you're here."

I sat down on the chair, holding my tunic, and beckoned her to tell me what she thought she knew. She sat up, keeping the blanket up,

"You're in love with another and you gave her up. You came here, hoping you could forget, but you couldn't." Maireada smiled when she saw my stunned look, "How much of that did I get right?" She giggled.

"Everything." I said slowly, still stunned at her accurate observation. Maireada bowed her head, a sudden gloomy look on her face,

"Why did you give her up?" If only I could give a simple answer. It was impossible to give one; there were too many reasons. Because she is royalty. Because she's engaged. Because her fiancee is after my head. Because I'm a Viking.

"She deserves much better than me."

"Hm." She hummed. The room was awkwardly silent for a while, both of us trying to avoid looking at each other, "If I ask you one favor, would you grant it?"

"Yes." Maireada stood up, keeping the sheet around her body. She knelt in front of me and took hold of my hand with her free one,

"Go back to your love."
"I can't go back to her. She'll never forgive me for what I did." I mumbled, trying to hide the tears that were starting to form. Everything she had said was true. I did come here, hoping I could forget. I tried to forget Merida. I tried so hard but it was futile. Maireada gave my hand a small squeeze before she lifted my chin and forced me to look at here,

"Hendry, if her love for you is as strong as yours, she'll forgive you. If you can convince her you were wrong in your doings, she'll forgive you." She leaned up and gave me a kiss on my forehead. I looked into her eyes, "Go."


Third Person POV

Although the patrols around the outside of the castle were prominent, by the time night all guards were either too tired or too bored to continue into the night. Most never saw the point of doing it either as DunBroch was peaceful and no one, lord or peasant, had quarrels with the king. That's why it was easy for Hiccup to sneak around the castle walls in order to find Merida's window.

He had left Maireada for good and had spent the entire day trying to get an audience with the princess. He had gone to Maudie, Rapunzel, even the king's advisor but they all told him that the princess refused to see him.

Out of options, Hiccup decided he would make her talk to him. That's how he came to be standing under her bedroom window with the determination to climb to it.

He waited until the sun had completely set before turning to the stone wall. With a deep breath, he took a tight hold on the stone and began to climb

Bevvy is Scottish slang for drink.

If you guys are going to complain about something that you think is inappropriate or you're not comfortable with, I'd rather have you keep it to yourself. I posted the warnings before the chapters but you decided to read it anyway.

Next chapter might take a little longer than usual because I'm doing another first in writing. What it is, you'll have to wait and see.

I'll see you guys later. Review, favorite, follow.