The Dinner
Five days had passed since Merida had told Hiccup of her mother's dinner and the night was finally here. Merida had felt a sense of anxiousness and unease all day. Her stomach felt like it were twisted up in knots and she could hardly eat anything. Not even Rapunzel, who tried all day to keep her mind preoccupied on other things, such as getting ready, could dispel her nerves.
It also didn't help that she'd hardly seen Hiccup at all during the time before the dinner. She'd gone to his home to visit him, only for him to practically banish her from it, saying he was going to be spending all his time making gifts, offerings to Elinor. She was miffed at that, though a part of her thought it was a good idea, anything to give him points with her mother would help.
She stood before her full length mirror, examined herself in her dress. Her face was washed, her hair shining, and her voluminous curls had been tamed by Rapunzel and a handful of handmaidens. She wore a shimmering blue dress with gold trim that hugged her figure, but didn't reveal too much. She liked it that way, not wanting to be ogled by her suitors who of course had been invited.
"You look very pretty Merida," Rapunzel said as she peeked out from behind her and smiled at her in the mirror.
Merida chuckled before glancing back at her friend, dressed in a royal purple gown with shimmering golden trim. Her hair had been woven into its braid, with glimmering purple and pink jewels woven into it, and her hair seemed to be an even more brilliant shade of gold than normal.
"Almost as good as you?" Merida asked jokingly.
Rapunzel stuck her tongue out at her teasingly, causing both Princesses to laugh. Rapunzel walked over to Merida's dresser and lifted up a golden circlet. She walked back over to her friend as Merida faced the mirror, shoulders back to stand upright.
Rapunzel gingerly placed the circlet upon her friend, completing her outfit and of course marking her as Princess.
"Ready?" Rapunzel asked her.
Merida sucked in and then let out a breath. "No," she replied honestly.
"Everything will be fine," Rapunzel reassured her.
Merida wasn't so optimistic. But not wanting to dwell and just wanting to move it along she turned from the mirror. "Let's go then," she said. Rapunzel nodded, following her out the door and to whatever the night would bring.
The first hour or so of the party was devoted to the greeting and announcing of the esteemed guests. Merida's numerous suitors, all of whom royal were announced, alongside Rapunzel and a handful of other guests and allies.
Finally after that the hostess Elinor was announced alongside Merida. Merida followed her mother down the stairs and into the throng of guests waiting to greet them both and offer their thanks at being invited to their home. Then began the mingling, old associates catching up, rulers of the other lands coming to speak with Elinor regarding trade or a future party or ball they hoped she and Merida would attend.
Elinor took it all in stride, smiling and talking with ease while Merida did her best to avoid conversation. Eventually Rapunzel managed to work her way over to her and began conversation, doing her best to keep it going and not give anyone a chance to cut in.
Eventually one of the staff came up to Elinor. Merida watched as he whispered something to her. She arched a brow before looking to Merida. Merida swallowed before making her way over to her.
"Something the matter mum?" Merida asked.
"It would appear...your guest has arrived," Elinor revealed.
Merida's eyes widened and she looked around to see if Hiccup had entered the room without her notice.
"We were wondering how to announce him?" Elinor added.
"You don't have to," Merida said quickly. This made Elinor arch a brow. "Just let me go get him."
"Merida I-"
"Please mum," Merida pleaded.
Elinor held her daughter's gaze for a moment before relenting. "Go," she said, motioning with her head. Merida nodded as she made her way out of the crowd and then out of the room. She jogged to the entrance, coming upon a group of guards holding up weapons to keep someone back while demanding what business he had here.
Merida reached the group before cutting in with a sharp decisive, "Enough!"
All the guards stood up and turned their attention to her. "Princess!" they all said at once.
Merida looked past them to see Hiccup. He was looking as handsome as ever. His leather armor, boots, and wings had been polished and buffed to a shine. It looked as if he'd at least attempted to run a comb through his hair, though it looked as shaggy and unkempt as it normally was.
His eyes widened as they fell on her. Merida smiled in appreciation before going up to him. "Hiccup," she greeted, stepping past her guards and giving him a kiss on the lips in greeting. The guards all widened their eyes in surprise.
"I'm glad you could make it Hiccup," Merida said with a happy smile.
"Yeah. Sorry I'm late. Had to carry the offerings here and then I hit kind of a snag," Hiccup said sheepishly.
"It's ok," Merida said. She looked to the guards, "All of you, this is my guest."
"Yes Princess," they all said in unison.
Merida smiled in satisfaction before directing the guards to carry Hiccup's offerings. They obediently obeyed as Merida grabbed one of Hiccup's hands and led him back to the party.
"You look amazing," he said out of the blue.
Merida blushed and beamed at him. "Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself."
Hiccup smiled bashfully. "I just wish I had something fancier," he said as he looked down at himself.
"You look fine love, promise," she told him. To set his mind at ease she grabbed his hand in hers. Soon enough the two of them entered the grand ballroom where the guests had continued to mingle and talk. However some of them had been waiting her return, so when Merida reappeared, hand in hand with Hiccup there were a few soft gasps from the guests.
The gasps of the guests drew Elinor's attention, and she turned to see her daughter descending the steps with Hiccup. She arched a brow, her face blank as she watched her daughter approach with her guest.
"Mum," Merida said as she and Hiccup reached the Queen. "This," Merida continued as she placed a hand on Hiccup, "Is my guest. Hiccup."
"Your Majesty," Hiccup said as he gave her a bow. "Thank you for allowing me into your home," he said, hoping to sound grateful, sincere, and formal all at the once.
"Welcome," Elinor said. Her eyes flicked to Hiccup, brow arched curiously before glancing past them and to the guards carrying chests. "What's all this then?" she asked curiously.
"Hiccup brought you some gifts mum," Merida elaborated. "As thanks." With that Merida glanced back and signaled the guards to set them down. With them lined up Hiccup went to one and opened it.
He reached his hand in and pulled out a saddle. The saddle looked newly made. The leather was darker and polished. And stitched onto it's side were three bears, the symbol of Elinor and Merida's clan.
"I'd heard you like to ride Your Majesty," he said. He held it out for her, but Elinor made no show of approval or disapproval. Moving on he set the saddle back into the chest. He swallowed as he did, starting to become rattled by Elinor's blank expression.
Next Hiccup reached into another chest and pulled out an object wrapped in cloth. He unwrapped it, revealing it to be a large ring that looked to be made of gold. It was engraved with swirling lines and adorned with a large gleaming emerald.
"Its uh...for your hair," he explained. Elinor arched a brow, making no move to take it. "I don't presume to believe my skills match those of your own smiths...but I hope you'll accept this handmade gift," he said.
Still Elinor didn't move. Merida and Hiccup began to grow more worried. Some of the guests began to snicker as it appeared Hiccup's gifts were going unwanted. As he contemplated moving on Elinor suddenly took a step forward. Hiccup remained on the spot as she walked up to him, step small, slow, and graceful, yet making his heart thump in his chest.
When she reached him she reached her hands up and took it. He and everyone watched as she swept both her long braids behind her. She opened the ring and reached behind her and then with a click she closed it, clasping it around both her braids and holding them in place.
Elinor then looked up at Hiccup, she gave him a small nod. "Thank you lad. I will look over your other gifts later. For now, let us continue the party," she said, expression blank and tone flat.
"As Your Majesty wishes," Hiccup said with a nod and a bow. With a signal from Elinor the chests were taken from the room. Merida and Hiccup exchanged a glance, still unsure if they were doing well so far.
As the party continued all eyes were on the Princess and her guest. Rapunzel came over and greeted Hiccup, trying to put him at ease. She had limited success with that endeavor. Merida also tried to distract him with herself, attempting several times to kiss him and settle his nerves. But he'd always turn her down, it was starting to become rather irksome until Elinore signaled everyone that it was time to eat.
Merida grabbed Hiccup's hand and led him after everyone else to the dining hall. There everyone took a seat at the long grand table filled with food. Elinor sat at the end, with Merida sitting at her right. Merida positioned Hiccup to sit beside her and Rapunzel took a seat beside him to make sure no one could sit next to him. That of course didn't stop the ones sitting across from him from boring their eyes into him.
For a while everyone ate in silence, focused entirely on the meal. Hiccup seemed to be enjoying his and it made Merida happy that he was. But eventually and inevitably someone finally broke the silence and turned their attention towards Hiccup.
One of Merida's suitors, a duke from the Oak Lands, inquired as to where Hiccup was from. "So Hiccup, where do you hail from then?"
Hiccup paused, eyes going up to meet the Duke's as he swallowed his food. "Originally I come from the far north. Beyond the frozen seas."
"And now?"
"The Greylands," Hiccup answered honestly.
Everyone looked appalled at his reply. "The Greylands? That dreadful, dim, place?" Hiccup simply gave a nod. "Why would anyone want to live there?" the Duke said, an insult very evident in his voice.
"I prefer solitude. Lets me get a lot of work done," Hiccup answered. The other nobles all looked down their nose at Hiccup, their opinion of him dropping.
"And judging by your appearance…" another one of them began. "You're dark faye?"
Merida clenched a fist, she'd been hoping that wouldn't come up. But it wouldn't be too hard to tell from Hiccup's appearance.
"I was. I belong to no court now," Hiccup explained.
"Why's that?"
"I left my home and cut ties with the court I belonged to"
"Oh?" one of them said with false interest. To the suitors that only meant Hiccup had no standing. No wealth, and nothing to offer. They began to smirk and sneer at him, their egos soaring as they looked down on him.
"Why is that?" another one asked, likely wanting to hear that he'd been banished or had been shamed with some dishonor.
"Because I believed we could have peace," Hiccup stated. He briefly explained how he'd once helped a light faye village on the very edge of his people's territory that had come under attack by goblins. He explained that he'd fought against the invading goblins, losing his leg in the process.
Upon returning him his people were outraged that he'd risked his life to save light faye, faye they held absolutely no loyalty to. Hiccup adamantly believed he'd done the right thing. But his people didn't see it that way.
So he'd left. How could he stay with people so heartless. He knew the two courts may not have liked each other, but was that really a reason to let an entire population be murdered by goblins?
"So I left," Hiccup finished with a shrug.
Everyone was stunned into silence, hardly believing a former dark court faye would risk life and limb to save members of their court. But one overcame their surprise and with an evil grin said, "That leg you lost must give you trouble," clearly meaning it to mean more than just with mobility.
There were a few sniggers and Hiccup couldn't help but look down. As he'd thought, Merida's suitors wouldn't miss an opportunity to point out his imperfection.
"Such a horrid thing," the Duke of the Oaklands said with a satisfied smile. "Metal. I suppose it's not too bad...if you look at you from the side that is," he said before breaking out into a laugh. His fellow suitors and other nobles joined in, some pretending to be decent by acting as if they were trying to stifle their laughter.
Hiccup could only sit there and take it. He couldn't pick a fight here, not without any court to back him up. And he was only a guest here as well. So he swallowed deep and clenched his fists, trying to drown out their laughter.
The whole time Merida had sat their silently. But her anger had been steadily rising. With nostrils flared and chest heaving she slapped her hands down onto the table. The laughter stopped as all eyed turned to the Princess. Even Hiccup glanced over at her in concern.
With a breath to quell the majority of her rage Merida looked up, putting on a fake smile as she prepared to exact a little vengeance on Hiccup's (and her own) behalf.
"He more than makes up for it, I assure you my Lords," she said, sounding a bit suggestive with her words choice. Without warning she reached a hand down and cupped Hiccup's crotch. Hiccup jumped in surprise and alarm, his wings partly unfurling around him in pure shock.
Their was a collective gasp as the nobles only just now realized Hiccup had wings. With a smile Merida suddenly slid over to drape herself across Hiccup's lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, letting her tongue slip into his mouth as she wantonly moaned. Hiccup went stiff, the suddenness of the kiss and Merida's position making him freeze up.
Merida suddenly broke the kiss to look at her suitors who'd gone silent. She smirked at them before taking a hand from around Hiccup's neck to reach down and grab his wrist. Then she moved it upward to her chest before placing his hand over one of her breasts. Hiccup flinched as he felt the soft roundness of her breast pressed against his palm, he was about to move it away, only for Merida to hold it in place and press down on it.
"Unlike any of you. Hiccup can touch the skies with his wings," Merida said, well while she continued to hold Hiccup's hand against her chest. "He's even taken me flying, showing me the land from a view that only the gods can see."
Merida grinned, trying to send a message to her suitors. "It was truly a marvelous sight. A gift that make any other treasure seem dull by comparison." The suitors clenched their fists as Merida's message was coming through.
Even with all they had, and all they'd done, even with all the gifts they'd used to try and win her, she was choosing Hiccup. Merida wanted to make her message very clear, they could give her anything, and she would still pick him.
Honestly, to make sure the point was driven home, she was even contemplating sliding under the table to further demonstrate exactly how much she liked Hiccup. Such an act would be so out of character for Merida. For while most faye weren't shy when it came to public displays of affection, sexual or otherwise, Merida's sexual tastes were known to be quite tame, somewhat prudish by the standards of the faye. But it would certainly make them fall off whatever pedestals they believed themselves to be on.
Still, Elinor's stern and annoyed stare was conveying a silent message. Behave. And Hiccup would probably be uncomfortable with the act too. So with one last smile at her suitors she kissed Hiccup one last time, making it extra loud, and long just for them.
With that she slid back into her own seat, leaving her lover stunned with mouth slightly agape and her suitors to scowl down at their plates.
"Your Majesty this quail is to die for," Rapunzel said quickly to break the tension in the room.
Elinor gave the Princess a smile and agreed with her. Rapunzel then began to make small talk, using her glamour to subtly steer all attention away from Hiccup and Merida.
Merida rested a hand on Hiccup's thigh, prompting him to place a hand over it. He closed his hand around her fingers and gave her a grateful squeeze. She smiled and squeezed back, heart unclenching ever so slightly as she noticed he was smiling. She wanted to set his mind at ease, to let him know that she didn't care for his standing or missing pieces.
She liked him. As he was.
With a playful smile she slipped her fingers out of his grip and then tried sliding it into the waistline of his pants. Hiccup flinched before quickly grabbing her hand and placing it on the table, all while keeping hold of it. She gave a mostly fake pout as he held it firmly on the table and in plain sight.
The dinner continued, and thankfully ended. The guests filed out after thanking Elinor for her hospitality. She curtsied and bowed before retiring herself, but not before giving Merida a look that said they were going to have a talk later.
Merida didn't care. She was elated that the dinner was over and Hiccup was with her in her home. She dragged him through the castle, showing him her favorite places. Hiccup loyally followed after her, smiling at the way she seemed to be so happy to share her home with him. She invited him to stay the night. He declined, but persistent, Merida got him to at least come and see her room.
"Quaint," Hiccup said as he looked around her room.
"I think so," Merida said. Her room as fairly simple. It had a wardrobe, her bed, a mirror, a nice window, and a little rack for her swords and bow. With a sigh she began to strip out of her dress, peeling its layers while making her way to the wardrobe.
"I'm going to slip into something more comfortable. Feel free to watch," she said playfully. Hiccup blushed and turned to give her some privacy. Though she honestly didn't mind if he saw her.
She shed her dress and circlet before slipping a nightgown over her head. Then she shut the wardrobe and made her way to the bed, she sat down on it before looking to Hiccup. He'd gone to the window, staring out into the night in silence.
"I'm glad you came," she said to break the silence of the room.
Hiccup turned from the window to give her a smile. "Me too," then he paused, frowning in contemplation. "What do you think your mom thinks about me?"
"Well…" Merida said, unsure. While she seemed to show no particular signs of disapproval, she also didn't seem like she approved of him either. "I think it's more good than bad. I mean she did use one of your gifts for her hair," she offered.
"I guess," Hiccup replied, still unsure. He looked out the window again and sighed.
Merida could sense his apprehension. He was so unsure of many things and he'd been hoping for some sure answer as to whether her mother would approve of him. She felt bad, knowing how hard he'd worked on his gifts.
"Come sit with me Hiccup," she requested. He looked to her again. She smiled and patted the empty spot beside her on the edge of her bed. He looked unsure again, eyes flicking to the bed and her. "Please," she asked sweetly.
After a moment more of hesitation he complied. He made his way to the bed and sat beside her. Merida capitalized on his proximity, sliding herself onto his lap. She began to nuzzle his neck, placing gentle kisses on his skin. She felt him shudder and she smiled against his throat.
"Your suitors don't like me," Hiccup said.
Merida frowned, the mention of her suitors ruining the mood. "They can all go jump off a cliff," she muttered sourly. Seeking to get the mood back on track she grabbed one of his hands by the wrist and lifted it. She looked up and met his eyes, smiling with a faint blush as she placed his palm over her breast.
Hiccup went still, eyes widening and face beginning to redden. But he wasn't trying to pull his hand free of her grip. Feeling emboldened she placed her hand over his and began to press down on it, trying to encourage him to touch her on his own.
Hiccup swallowed, staring at his hand and feeling the softness of her breast in his squeezed. Merida eyes fluttered and she let out a small moan, just for him.
The moan fed into his desires, like kindling to flames. He squeezed harder and pressed down. Merida moaned again, eyes closing as she let the sensation of his touch take over.
Hiccup's breathing started to become shallow and he felt his pulse beginning to race. He was suddenly aware of just what position they were in. Alone. In her room. On her bed. And he was touching one of the most intimate parts of her.
His masculine instincts took over as he layed her down onto her back. She looked up at him, eyes half lidded, pleading for him to keep going.
He kissed her, making her moan into his mouth. His kiss quickly grew more and more intense and demanding, tongue sliding into her mouth. But the princess was more than able to match his desire with equal longing. She tangled her fingers into his hair and held him close, nibbling his lower lip and tugging.
His hand slid down, going lower before fisting into the fabric of her nightgown and ten tugging it upward. Merida gasped as the cool air touched her exposed legs, but she let him tug her gown higher and higher until it was at her stomach.
Hiccup's hand slid under her gown, rubbing the flat plane of her stomach before finally grabbing one of her glorious breasts in hand.
Merida broke the kiss to gasp aloud. A breathy moan followed, head tipping back and mouth forming an O as he touched her. Hiccup kissed and licked at her throat, all while he kept squeezing her soft mound. There were no words to describe how badly he'd wanted to do this. He felt her peak brushing against the skin of his palm. He squeezed it again before tweaking her nipple. He felt Merida twitch as a jolt of pleasure shot up her spine.
Hiccup smiled as he cupped her breast.
"Hiccup," Merida breathed out. Gods. His name on her lips...she had no idea what it did to him. He took his hand of her breast, hearing her whine but ignoring it as his hand went down.
Merida stiffened for a moment, hardly believing that Hiccup was actually going to touch her like this. She was fearful that any moment he may stop. That any action or sound might scare him off.
She was delightfully surprised when Hiccup hands slid into her underwear.
Her back arched off the bed as his fingers found her most sensitive spot. He found her slit wet, all due to his earlier caresses and kisses. She prayed that he'd take pity on her and relieve the ache he'd made appear lest she go crazy.
Then he rubbed.
"AH!" Merida cried out in joy as he touched her. Fingers brushing up and down her entrance before delving in. How she'd longed for this. She'd fantasized about it. Used her own fingers as a substitute all while imagining that it was him touching her.
But those fantasies paled in comparison to this.
His hands, his smell, his warmth presence all added to her desires and longing for him.
Her hand slid down over her, keeping him there for the fear that he'd take his hand away. She moved her hips, riding him, trying to push down onto his fingers and take more of him. All the while she had her eyes closed, drowning out everything else but the irresistible waves of ecstasy he was making her ride.
Those clever calloused hands went in and out, stimulating her, pushing her closer and closer to her end. She pressed down into his hand and whimpered, closed to sobbing due to how immensely good it felt.
"Merida," Hiccup whispered to her in absolute reverence while his thumb pressed and rubbed against her pearl.
Merida bit into her bottom lip as his voice and touch finally sent her over the edge. The waves crashed through her as she shook and trembled, grinding against his hand as she rode out the tumultuous storm inside.
Hiccup kissed her throat as he withdrew his hand. He wiped it against the bed and sat up, smiling in pride and love as Merida came down from her high. She was staring at the ceiling, eyes glazed over as she basked in the afterglow of her release.
Hiccup watched her, heart throbbing with affection for the Princess whom he loved. This was almost too wonderful to be true. Him, with her. Touching her as he'd just done. Could it be some cruel joke by the gods? Was he about to wake up to discover it'd all been a dream?
He certainly hoped not. For what kind of life could he live now without her? It would hardly seem worth living if you asked him.
With one last breath Merida's eyes flicked to his. Hiccup smiled at her. She quickly at up before grabbing him by the neck and pulling him down onto her. She kissed him fiercely, her passion incensed and lust returned with vigor.
She had to have him. Here. Now. In her bed. Suitors be damned. Her mother be damned. Her crown and kingdom be damned.
Her hand began to go down before finding the belt of his pants. Her other hand went down to join its partner as they began to work at the belt. They undid the buckle and made to reach under when Hiccup suddenly pulled away.
She stared at him in confusion while he offered a small apologetic smile.
"I should leave," he said.
Merida's eyes widened in panic. "You don't have to," she said quickly.
"I don't want to overstay my welcome. Or abuse your mother's hospitality."
"It's fine Hiccup. If she wanted you gone she'd had made her a guard escorted you out once the party ended. You can stay," she insisted. She couldn't bear with him leaving, not before she got to feel him inside her finally.
She saw Hiccup mentally debating with himself before he stood up. Her heart sank as he redid his belt and took a step away.
Merida was growing desperate. She didn't want him to leave. Not after he'd finally touched her. Not before she could have him in her bed.
"I guess I'll-" Hiccup began before going silent as Merida's arm shot out and grabbed his hand. He looked to her, only to become entranced. Merida somehow looked more beautiful and alluring than she already was.
She seemed to be sparkling, the air around her shimmering as she gave him a sweet and pleading smile. It's like he was spellbound as he couldn't look away. Her eyes looked bluer than normal, like the blue of the sky he loved to fly in. He almost felt like he could fly right now as he stared into them.
Unbeknownst to him, Merida was doing something frowned upon in the faye world. She was using her glamour to enchant him. This is what faye used to trick humans into their beds. Such an act was considered wrong to use on another faye, especially when used on someone who was supposed to be your partner and lover.
But at the moment Merida didn't care. She knew Hiccup wanted her. She'd seen and felt his desire for her. So in her mind she was just giving him a slight nudge.
"Stay with me tonight Hiccup," she said, her voice like silk and warm. "Make love to me."
Hiccup eyes were glazed over, proof that he'd fallen to her charms. He automatically turned back toward her and took a step closer to her waiting on the bed.
He couldn't deny her, and so with no resistance he said, "Ok."
new chap
