A Story of a Princess
Merida's back bowed as her fingers fisted in the golden locks of Rapunzel's hair. The blonde's head was buried between her thighs, licking at her core eliciting wanton moans of pleasure. The red head's eyes were closed as she moved her hands to rub her own breasts, fingers grazing the pebbled peaks of her nipples as she swam in the current of ecstasy.
She focused entirely on it. Letting it wash over her and sweep away the feeling of heartache at the thoughts of Hiccup. She did her best to bury it. It's why she'd come to Rapunzel, someone she knew wouldn't reject her.
She was angry and hurt. At Hiccup for rejecting her. At herself for betraying his trust and compromising her own principles. At how she was here, with Rapunzel experiencing the onset of an amazing orgasm that should have been given to her by Hiccup.
Her fingers slapped down onto the sheets of the bed and grabbed two handfuls tightly, body trembling before releasing a cry as yet another orgasm crashed through her. She bucked as she rode the wave as it ebbed through her.
After several moments she came down from her high and laid where she was, staring at the ceiling and waiting for the spots to clear from her vision. Rapunzel flopped down beside her. Her hair was loose and covering the bed.
They'd been going at it for a while now. Pleasuring each other like they had for years. Rapunzel sensed Merida needed her. Though in the aftermath she doubted whether this was truly the best method.
Rapunzel rolled onto her side and stared at the side of her friend's face. Merida sensed her gaze and sighed. It was finally time to talk.
"You ok?" Rapunzel asked in concern.
"A little better now," Merida admitted.
"That's good," Rapunzel said with a small smile. "So did something happen with Hiccup?" she pressed.
Merida closed her eyes with a grimace as shame began to well up within her. "I did something I shouldn't have," Merida admitted regretfully.
"Was it bad?"
"It was," Merida confirmed. She gave a quick recount of her short rendezvous with Hiccup, including the part where she'd used her glamour on him.
Rapunzel gasped and sat up to gape at her in shock. "Merida!" she said, appalled.
Merida groaned and pressed the flats of her palms into her eyes. "I know! Ugh! I'm such an idiot!"
Rapunzel stared at her friend in disbelief that she could do such a thing. It went against everything she'd known about the person she'd called a friend for decades. But she could see and hear the remorse in her friend's tone and actions as she laid there expressing her regrets and admonishing herself in hushed whispers.
Rapunzel shook her head before pulling her legs to her chest. "Sounds like you inner spoiled princess came out," she noted.
Merida uncovered her eyes to glare at her. "I'm not-" she began, but was silenced as Rapunzel gave her a challenging look. She took a moment to do some self evaluation and realized her friend had a valid point.
As a princess Merida was far more spoiled than she'd ever admit to. She was never really denied anything she desired and wasn't used to being told no or rejected, save by her mother, who was perhaps the only person in the kingdom that could deny her without consequences.
She sighed in defeat and conceded the point. "You're right."
"And now you've cheated on Hiccup. With me," Rapunzel added.
Merida groaned loudly and winced. "I know!" she cried woefully.
This was another reason Rapunzel was Merida's closest friend. She wasn't afraid to challenge her when she was wrong. Or give her a much needed reality check with a firm, but loving, hand.
"You're going to have to apologize to him, and tell him about this."
"If he'll even want to see me again," Merida said sadly.
"Regardless, you should still apologize to him because an apology is owed," Rapunzel insisted.
Merida sighed once more, defeated by Rapunzel's argument. "Yeah," she said in acceptance. She vowed to herself that she would apologize to Hiccup, and if she was lucky he'd give her a chance to prove that she would earn back his trust, no matter how long it took.
There suddenly came several knocks at Rapunzel's door.
"Princess Merida? Are you in there?" came the voice of one of the castle guards.
Merida sat up while looking toward the door curiously. She wondered why one of the guards was looking for her this late.
"Yes," she called back.
"Sorry to disturb you, Princess. Your mother has called for you," he explained.
Merida blinked in surprise at her mother's sudden summons. "I understand. I'll be there shortly," she said in response.
"Very good ma'am. She'll be in her tapestry room," came the guards reply.
They heard him walk away and exchanged a glance. Merida got herself out of bed and borrowed a robe from Rapunzel.
"What do you think your mother wants? Think it's about Hiccup?" Rapunzel asked her.
"Don't ken. Guess ah'll find out," she answered back as she tied her robe closed. Now somewhat presentable she excused herself from the room before heading to her mother's tapestry room.
She paused at the door and knocked. "Enter," she heard her mother answer.
With that she gently pushed open the door and peeked her head into the room. She found herself staring at her mother's back as she was engrossed in her weaving project.
"You wanted to speak mum?" Merida inquired.
"Yes dear. Do come in," Elinor replied.
With that Merida entered the room and shut the door behind her. She walked up to her mother before taking a seat in an empty stool beside her. She looked over her mother's project. She found a tapestry woven in a pattern resembling a landscape she'd never seen before. Or at least she thought she hadn't. But the longer she stared at it the more familiar it looked. Regardless, it was beautiful. Her mother was well practiced and an expert in the art of weaving.
"It looks good mum," Merida complimented.
With a chuckle Elinor's hands finally stopped and she set down her needle and thread before turning in her seat to face her daughter.
"Thank you dear," Elinor replied with a warm smile.
"Something you wanted to talk about mum?" Merida pressed.
"Yes," Elinor said, pausing as she rose from her chair. She straightened out her evening gown before gesturing toward the door. "Shall we take a walk dear?" she offered.
Merida cocked her head to the side curiously. But she complied with a nod as she rose and followed her mother to the door. They stepped out into the halls before walking side by side.
"Is your lad still around?" Elinor asked.
Merida's face fell and she looked at the ground, shame welling up within her. "No-he ah-left," she explained quietly.
"I see," Elinor responded neutrally. She kept her expression neutral and walked in silence for a moment. "I'd like to tell you a story dear," she revealed.
"Ok?" Merida said quizzically. She was a bit perplexed by this. Her mother hadn't told her a story for years. She used to use them as teaching tools when she was a child, but hadn't needed them once Merida had matured.
"Once, there was a princess of the faye. She was the apple of her parents' eyes and beloved by the kingdom and her subject,'' she began. Merida listened with interest, wondering what the purpose of the story was.
"She was her parents' only child, and as you know it's rare for a kingdom to be ruled by a queen alone." she continued. Merida nodded in understanding. It was indeed a rare occurrence for a queen to rule without a king. It wasn't unheard of, with the woman usually holding the title of Queen dowager, and protecting the throne until her heir was of age to claim it.
"From a young age she was taught of duty and her responsibility as a princess to her subject and kingdom. Thus, when she came of age she was expected to marry a suitable male to rule her people at her side. So when the time came the princess obeyed the wishes of her parents and began meeting with potential suitors from across the lands in search of an ideal partner."
"But there were so many. For the princess was considered quite the beauty, you see. Throngs of men attempted to woo her. Flooding her with gifts and words of affection at every moment and opportunity."
'Poor lass.' Merida thought to herself. She could empathize with the girl.
"The princess found it all so overwhelming. She found herself at her wit's end, and in an uncharacteristic move of the princess, who'd spent her whole life obeying her parents and doing her utmost to uphold her duty as royalty, she fled," Elinor revealed.
Merida blinked in surprise while mentally cheering for the girl. She'd thought of running away many times. But she'd never actually done it. At most she'd sneak away from her meeting with her suitors to go shooting or riding. But she always returned.
"The princess knew she needed to go somewhere she wouldn't be found. Just for a reprieve. She just needed time to think. So, she fled to the human world."
"The human world?" Merida asked in amazement. To go there, the princess must have been desperate.
"Indeed," Elinor confirmed. With a breath she continued, "She found the human world to be beautiful in its own right. She explored the lands and admired the trees and lochs. Eventually she found herself within the borders of a kingdom. Rumors and tales spread about her, a woman wandering the wilds of the kingdom. Unparalleled in her beauty. A creature as if from myth," Elinor said. Merida detected a hint of self satisfaction in the last bit of the princess.
"Curious, the young king set out to find this mysterious woman. Wanting to see this ethereal beauty others had spoken of. He searched the mountains. Explored the forests. He was determined to see her for himself until one day, he found her," Elinor continued. Merida turned her head slightly to find the queen smiling with fondness.
Merida studied her mother closely. She hadn't seen that look on her mother's face in...she honestly couldn't say. Perhaps when she was a little girl?
"He found her by the river and was immediately smitten by her beauty. A beauty that paled in comparison to the stories he'd heard. The princess on the other hand was quite stunned at the sight of the mysterious stranger stumbling upon her out of the blue. But he was a friendly lad. Charming, if not a little rough around the edges. A little boorish perhaps. And so unlike the faye men she'd known her entire life. They spoke, and introduced themselves to each other. The king offered his hospitality while she resided in his kingdom. Then the king left, but not before asking if he could see her the next day. The princess, curious about this man, accepted. So they met the next day. And the day after. And the day after that. They spoke of their lives. Of their homes. Of their parents and people. Slowly but surely the princess found herself drawn to this man. A man so full of laughter and boisterous. Who tried his best to be as couth and refined as possible in her presence, but failed so spectacularly it was almost a talent," Elinor said as she began laughing and giggling.
"Then one day she realized...she'd fallen in love with him," Elinor said softly, fondly as her eyes were far off in remembrance.
Merida was enthralled in her mother's story as she kept her attention fixed to the queen's face and expressions.
"He was so different. Imperfect. Yet it made him all the more beautiful," Elinor continued, engrossed in the story herself. "So with their love reciprocated, the king and princess were wed. They were together for years and enjoyed a life of married bliss," the queen paused and stopped. Merida stopped alongside her and watched as the queen turned toward her.
Merida turned as well to face her mother. She looked into her mother's eyes, finding the queen staring at her with a look of love and adoration. The queen raised her hands up to cup her cheeks, stroking them with her thumbs lovingly. Merida was a little surprised by the sudden display of affection from her mother, but she made no move to stop it.
"Soon enough the princess, now queen, was with child. Then, a beautiful baby girl was born and they named her…Merida."
Merida blinked before her jaw fell. Her mother laughed lightly, but not in a way indicating she was joking. It was more at the shocked expression her daughter was wearing. Merida's brain caught up and she swallowed before finding her words.
"So it's true...I am part human?" she asked in astonishment.
"Oh come now dear. It's not exactly a secret," Elinor pointed out.
"Well yes, but you've never confirmed it," Merida countered.
"Nor have I denied it," Elinor rebutted. With one last caress she released her daughter's face before turning to continue their walk and her story. Merida fell into step beside her and listened intently as she continued.
"Some time after that the queen bore the king more children. Three sons. Triplets at that. They lived together as a family and were happy," Elinor continued merrily. Then her expression fell, becoming more sober.
"But the king's allies from the neighboring lands, three lords, would soon find themselves at odds," she said ominously. "The lords, like most who met her, came to adore the princess. For unlike her brothers her gentry blood was stronger in her and she unknowingly bewitched everyone she came across. And though the lord's interest in the princess was mostly innocent, her parent knew it would one day become something much darker. For when she became a woman that adoration would turn to lust, and the kingdom and its allies may very well start a war over her."
"So with a heavy heart the king and queen knew that for the good of everyone, and for the sake of protecting their daughter, that the queen must return with her child back to the world of the gentry," Elinor finished with a note of sadness.
"Wow," Merida whispered softly as her mind registered all this new information. "So I had brothers. And a father. I was born in the human world," she said quietly, listing every new discovery.
"Indeed," Elinor confirmed.
"Why-why don't I remember any of this?" Merida asked as she looked to her mother for an explanation.
"You were so young dear. When I brought you to our world you became entranced by it, and so much time has passed since then," Elinor explained.
"I suppose so," Merida reasoned. It had been over a hundred years ago. Even living forever didn't mean you could remember every part of your life.
"When I returned with an heir my parents decided to drop the issue of marriage. Of course after your father, no one could ever hope to compare," Elinor added. Elinor stopped again which prompted Merida to do the same. Elinor turned to her daughter and grabbed the princess' hands in hers.
"You know I love you Merida. Right? You know that everything I've ever done for you has been out of love, yes?" Elinor asked tenderly.
Merida of course knew this. She knew no matter how annoying or unreasonable her mother seemed and no matter how much she harangued her, it always came from a place of love.
"Yes mum," she answered with a nod.
"I've been encouraging you to find a partner because I hoped you could have what I had with your father. I'd hoped that you would never know the ache of loneliness that I have all these years," Elinor whispered with care.
"Oh mum," Merida said as she freed her hands to throw them around her mother in an embrace. She pressed her head against her mother's chest in a way she hadn't done since she was a child. The queen returned it in kind, placing her chin on her daughter's head and holding her.
"I didn't know you felt this pain mum. I wish I had known. I would've tried to comfort you," Merida said with a sniffle. She felt like the most horrid daughter in the world for never noticing her mother hiding this from her.
"It's ok, my love. It's a good pain. It reminds me how much your father and brothers meant to me. I keep them in my heart, forever," she said to reassure her child.
Merida pulled away and looked up to her mother with moist eyes. But with a small laugh the queen wiped her eyes and kissed her lovingly on the cheek.
"I like that lad of yours," Elinor said suddenly.
"Ye do?" Merida asked in surprise.
Elinor nodded with a smile. "He reminds me a lot of your father. He seems like a good lad."
"So...you're fine with us being together?" Merida asked to be clear.
"I am," Elinor confirmed.
Merida beamed before wrapping her mother in a tight hug. "Oh thank you mum! Thank you!" she said sincerely. She couldn't wait to share this news with Hiccup. He would be so relieved.
"Do you intend to marry him dear?"
Merida froze, eyes snapping open at the suddenness of the question. She pulled back and looked into her mother's eyes, bewildered at the thought. "I...I mean-we haven't quite gotten that far into our relationship mum," Merida stammered out awkwardly.
Elinor hummed curiously. "I see," was all she said. "Regardless, I must tell you Merida that if you do intend to marry Hiccup one day, that he can never be king," Elinor said in a more serious tone. "As much as you or I may come to like the lad, he is dark faye. The other kingdoms would never accept it among the court. The most he could ever be is your consort."
Merida blinked at the new information. She hadn't really thought of marriage with Hiccup yet, or the implication of him being dark faye could incur.
But still.
"I don't think Hiccup would mind that actually," Merida said. "I don't think he really cares about my position. Or wants to be king of our lands. He just wants...me."
"And why wouldn't he?" Elinor said with a smile.
"But this won't affect our relationship or standing with the other lords will it?" Merida asked.
"Of course not dear. Why would it?"
"Well I mean, won't they take offense to me choosing someone else entirely instead of them?"
"The agreement was always that they could have your hand only if they could win your heart first," Elinor revealed. "You didn't think I was going to force you to marry someone against your wishes did you?" she asked, aghast.
"Well…" Merida responded with a grimace.
"How little you think of me dear," Elinor said in offense. "Regardless, our place and standing in the court will not fall. We have strong alliances within it, especially with the kingdom of the Rampion fields. An alliance you've cultivated and is sure to last given your friendship with Rapunzel. Such a nice lass," Elinor explained to assuage her concerns.
"That's good," Merida said in relief. She looked up to her mother and prepared to ask her something she hoped wouldn't be too burdensome. "Mum?"
"Yes dear?" Elinor asked.
"Can you tell me about my dad and brother some time?"
Elinor beamed at her daughter, more than happy to share. "Of course dear."
Merida released a breath she'd been holding, glad to hear her mother was willing to share. She had hoped that hearing stories and details about them would jog some parts of her memory. She wanted to know about them. To learn more about her family that had long since passed by now.
"That lad of yours is quite handsome," Elinor said out of the blue.
"Thank you mum," Merida said in agreement.
"Ah don't suppose that perhaps he and I could get to know each other a little better?" Elinor proposed casually.
"I'm sure he'd like that," Merida said in approval.
Suddenly something different flashed across her mother's face. Something Merida hadn't seen before. Something devious and hungry.
"Perhaps he and I could get to know each other very well?" her mother asked slyly.
Merida gaped up at her mother before recoiling in horror. "Mother, you're not suggesting-"
"What? He's a handsome lad as I said, and he reminds me so very much of your father. It's been a long time since I've known a man, dear," Elinor said as if it were so trivial.
It wasn't unheard of for gentry royalty to intermarry. Or for families to share a partner. But the thought of Hiccup and her mother was...blech
Before Merida could respond Elinor turned to leave. "Thank you for taking the time to hear my story dear. I think I will retire for the night. I do hope you invite Hiccup back to the castle. I think he and I would like to get to know each other very much," Elinor said before excusing herself.
Merida stared after her mother, barely recognizing the woman who was lusting after her lover. But she couldn't help but smile a little at seeing this side of her mother. It was something different than the persona of the perfect queen she showed to everyone and Merida rarely got to witness. It was sort of nice to see her mother was just a woman too.
With that Merida returned to her room and climbed into bed. She thought of everything. Her origins. Her mother's approval of her relationship with Hiccup. She thought about the man who she adored very much and who she owed a very deserved apology.
As she began drifting off she swore to go to him tomorrow and give it to him. She would plead for a second chance and promise to never violate his trust like that again. She would swear to prove it to him, no matter the cost to her pride.
The next day Merida awoke with a sense of purpose. She woke up Rapunzel and gave her a quick recap of her conversation with her mother. Rapunzel was surprised to hear of her origins and glad to hear that Elinor approved of her relationship with Hiccup. She was amused at the thought of Elinor being attracted to the younger man, saying she could understand because he was quite handsome. Merida didn't find it as amusing, giving her a playful swat before asking her to join her in her meeting with Hiccup.
Rapunzel of course agreed and they got ready together. They washed and grabbed a quick breakfast before climbing on Angus and riding to the desolate forest and mountain that was Hiccup's home. They entered through the opening at the base and worked their way through the path and to his forge.
When they were there she called out to him. "Hiccup?!" But there was no response. She glanced around, suddenly realizing the atmosphere seemed...off. It was far too quiet. Hiccup was usually working with metal, hammering it away while the fires of the bellows crackled. But it was dead silent.
She took a closer look around, noting the forge was unlit and the space of the forge was cold. She began to grow worried as she quickly walked to the chamber that Hiccup slept in. She looked inside, but he wasn't there.
"Hiccup?" she called out, louder. Her voice echoed through the mountain. But there was no response. She ran back to the workshop area and frantically started looking around. Something was wrong. She could feel it.
"Merida," Rapunzel said, grabbing her attention. Merida looked toward her friend, finding her at a wall and staring intently at it. She walked over to her side to see what she was inspecting so closely.
She found a black scorch mark burned into its surface. Dread began rising up within her as she whirled around and then she started to notice more things. A chair was knocked over. A table had been shoved from its usual spot. Tools and weapons racked were knocked down. She found the wooden furniture had had deep gouge marks that she recognized as cuts from a sword.
She looked at the floor, her years of tracking and hunting experience allowing her to pick out Hiccup's boot prints along with others.
It all began to piece itself together in her mind and she paled, panic rising up within her as she struggled to catch her breath.
She nearly collapsed before catching herself against a workbench as she stared off into space, on the verge of hysterics.
"Merida?" Rapunzel asked gently. She had come to the same conclusion as the red head, but was desperately hoping she was wrong.
"Someone was here," Merida whispered.
"They took Hiccup."
