Kingdom of Dunbroch, Highlands of Scotland

Merida raced past the trees exploring the countryside. It has been years since the chaos with the Clan Suitors and her mother being turned into a bear. But her life has been amazing since then. She was free despite the many failed suitors. Today she was firing her bow at new targets. She had already used this new course many times, but she enjoyed sharpening her skills as an archer. As she put the last arrow in the target from the top of Angus, she saw something strange. Immediately, Merida stopped her friends and jumped down. She walked to a tree to find large claw marks against it. At first, she thought it would have to belong to a bear, but she looked up to see another claw mark high above her. Too high for a bear. Confused, Merida climbed back onto Angus and rode back to the castle. She has never seen anything like it and that meant magic. When she arrived at the castle, she saw servants getting the castle ready for some guests. Merida ignored the servants as she rushed to the main hall to find her mother ordering servants around wanting everything to be perfect. Her father was dueling with a guard.

"Fergus we have company coming. Would you not try to break anything?" Elinor asked and the King laughed.

"Relax Elinor. It's just an old war friend." Fergus answered as Elinor caught the Princess in her eye.

"How was your ride dear?" Elinor asked her daughter before hugging her.

"Fine. Found some unusual claw marks in a tree." Merida answered and Elinor raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?"

"Oh just a friend of mine from the war with those Normans. Lost an eye, a leg, and a hand. But never stopped fighting." Fergus replied before hugging Merida.

"So he's coming here for a visit?" Merida asked.

"Just a few days. Then he'll go on South to visit some family." Elinor answered.

"Okay then. I'll go brush Angus until then." Merida remarked and Elinor smiled.

"Okay then. Be careful." the Queen added as Merida ran off.

Later

"Jayden! Welcome to Castle Dunbroch!" King Fergus yelled as an older man entered the castle. Merida had seen many people from her father's war days come and go, but this one was intriguing because of his prosthetics. They seemed so complicated and made of metal.

"Good to you old friend." Jayden remarked before the two gave a warriors hug.

"Allow me to introduce you to my beautiful wife Elinor, my daughter Merida, and my sons. Where did they go?" Fergus asked before yelling could be heard in the halls. "Never mind." he added before the warriors and Merida laughed.

"I see young Merida inherited your humor Fergus." Jayden added.

"Aye, but I'm more interested in your fake limbs. They look confusing." the King remarked before slapping the old man's back.

"A young man back in my village made them. He is one of the best blacksmiths in the world. Just hold this sword he made." Jayden answered as he unsheathed his sword. Fergus took a hold of the shining blade.

"Light. Must break easy." Fergus remarked before handing it back to the old warrior.

"No. His weapons are lighter and stronger than the strongest steel. I used an axe to cut down a tree in less than a dozen swings. Not even a dent." Jayden replied and Merida wondered how a man could create such a thing. "Not only that but his inventions are just amazing. One time he flew in the skies above the village."

"No one can fly. That gift is for the birds." Elinor remarked and Merida's curiosity grew.

"But it's true. He has more skills than anyone on Dunbroch. I reckon he can even beat you in a fight." Jayden added and Fergus laughed loudly.

"No one can ever outmatch me with a sword." Fergus corrected.

"This man can and I am willing to bet my life on it." Jayden replied.

"You bet your life on whose sword was stronger. Lord Macintoshs or Lord MacGuffins." Fergus reminded and Jayden laughed.

"I'm still aren't I." Jayden replied and both men laughed. "But I truly do believe this young man could outmatch you with a sword, spear, hell even a bow."

"I doubt that and to prove you wrong I'll invite the lad here." Fergus remarked and Elinor smiled seeing her husband defending his honor. Merida wondered what her father would do to the poor lad. "What's his name?"

"Hiccup." Jayden answered and the three family members laughed at the odd name.

Four Days Later - Kingdom of Dunbroch, Highlands of Scotland

Merida sat next to he parents in the hall waiting for Hiccup to arrive. Merida still finds the name humorous. She wondered who in their right mind would name their child Hiccup. Elinor held her husband's arm who was losing his patience. It has been four days and this Hiccup hasn't arrived. Jayden suggested that this young man might be making gifts for the royal family. Elinor agreed with it, but Merida thought that Hiccup was just hiding from a fight against her father. But today, the sentries saw a lone man walking towards the castle. So they waited patiently while the servants prepared lunch for them. When the doors opened, a tall thin man walked in clad in black leather armor and a green tunic. Merida saw that his lower left leg was replaced with a complicated metal wooden peg leg.

"King Fergus and Queen Elinor, this is Hiccup. Legendary blacksmith, creator, and fighter the world has ever seen." Jayden introduced the young man who gave a bow of respect.

"This little wee thing? I thought you said he could beat the best sword fighter?" Fergus asked the old warrior. "On top of that he was late to arrive here."

"If I may speak my King." Hiccup interrupted and both rulers nodded their head. "I was late because I was creating gifts for you and your family."

"I told you Fergus. Never doubt this young man." Jayden remarked and the King chuckled.

"Okay then. What are these gifts you made for us wee Hiccup." Elinor asked and the young man pulled a large sword from his pack. Hiccup kneeled in front of the King to present the sword.

"A sword made from Gronckle Iron. Lighter and stronger than anything you have." Hiccup said as Fergus grabbed the sword and inspect it.

"It is indeed light. I'll test the strength later." Fergus replied and Hiccup grabbed a locket from his pack. Merida saw small green gems around the metal chain. The locket had the symbol of Dunbroch.

"To Queen Elinor, I have a locket that will forever remind those around you of who you are." Hiccup said as he handed the Queen the locket. Merida watched as her mother opened it. Inside was the symbol of Clan Dunbroch on one side and vibrant colors on the other.

"It's beautiful Hiccup." Elinor remarked and Hiccup nodded. The young man grabbed three cylinder objects from his pack along with small objects in a net bag.

"To the princes of Dunbroch. I have made these survival tools. Capable of lighting fires, guiding you on maps, and with these canisters of Monstrous Nightmare Gel it'll allow you to see in the darkness." Hiccup said and the triplet grabbed the object in excitement. Merida could only imagine the trouble those three will cause. Hiccup grabbed a small object from his pack and kneeled in front of Merida. "To the Princess of Dunbroch I present you with a weapon worthy of your skills and Royal title." he added before flicking a switch on the side and the object revealed itself to be a bow made of metal. Merida gracefully accepted the gift feeling how light it war.

"Amazing." Merida replied surprised at the skills it must take to build something like this. The Princess inspected the bow's elaborate designs. The strong pulled back like anything, but the feeling was different. "What kind of string is this?"

"It is a special form of Gonckle Iron. Took me most of the time to make." Hiccup answered and the Royal family nodded in approval. He had certainly shown off his skills as a blacksmith.

"Well there is doubt in your skill as a blacksmith and master craftsmen." Elinor remarked and Hiccup nodded.

"Thank you my Queen." Hiccup replied.

"Well maybe we should eat lunch before letting you two duel." Elinor remarked.

"Yes. I would like to know how a young lad like yourself learned such skills." Fergus added as the small group of Royals and subjects took a seat at the large table. Merida saw the awkwardness of Hiccup seeing that he was eating with Royalty, but seeing how Fergus and the boys behaved she could see him getting more relaxed.

"So where did you learn your skills?" Elinor asked politely.

"Back home, I was the apprentice to the Blacksmith. It's where I learned how to make things." Hiccup answered and Merida raised an eyebrow.

"Back home as in the village?" she asked.

"No, I moved to Dunbroch in self exile." Hiccup answered earning questionable looks from the Royals. "I kinda befriend a wounded enemy and learned we lied to for years. So to save my friend, we moved down to Dunbroch."

"How long have you been living here?" Fergus asked before taking a large bite of chicken.

"Four years. But I got to live and not be the hiccup of my village anymore." Hiccup answered.

"Ah. So I guess you were a mess up back home?" Merida asked curious to his words.

"Yeah. Some of my earlier inventions caused more trouble than the enemy did. Once I nearly burnt down half of home by accident." Hiccup added and Fergus laughed.

"And here I thought my boys were more trouble. They haven't burned anything massive yet." Fergus remarked.

"So do you miss your old home?" Elinor asked and Hiccup shrugged.

"Some days yeah. Even though I was the most hated man in the village. Given the honorary title of Hiccup the Useless. I doubt they missed me." Hiccup answered and Merida could see he was sadden by his own words.

"Not even your folks?" Merida asked knowing that everyone had to have a family.

"My mom died in a raid and I wasn't the son my father wanted. So here I am. Making a name for myself." Hiccup answered and she felt sorry for him. Family was important to the Dunbrochs, even when they annoy each other. At the end of the day, they are family. Once lunch was finished Hiccup and Jayden left for the outside while the Royal family finished some royal duties. Merida was able to sneak off to watch as Hiccup ready himself for the duel. But she was surprised to see the young man writing in a book. Merida couldn't tell if he was foolish or cocky. She wondered what he was writing in his little book. When the King and Queen exited the castle, everyone prepared to watch. Fergus was using his old sword not trusting the sword made by his opponent. Upon seeing the blade, Hiccup grabbed a small object from his right leg and held it with his left hand. Many of the Scots laughed at the small blade on it.

"You do know this is a duel?" Fergus asked and Elinor shook her head. Merida wondered how foolish a man could be to bring a weapon like that to a fight. A knife would be better.

"I do. This is my personal sword. Inferno." Hiccup answered earning more laughter.

"Fine. I just hope you know what you're getting yourself into." Fergus remarked as he got into a ready stance. Hiccup did the same, but many laughed still reminded of his weapon of choice. When the bell rang, the King charged and swung the blade down. What happened next silenced the laughter. A flaming blade extended from Hiccup's weapon blocking the blow. Merida's eyes widen seeing such a blade. Fergus was kicked back from the shock of the magical blade. But the King swung the sword again only for Hiccup to block it. As the fight continued Merida saw a pattern. Fergus would strike while Hiccup will block and send the King back. As her father swung the blade once more, Inferno blocked the blow and she heard a blade shatter. Merida's eyes widen to see her father's sword broken while Hiccup's Inferno remains intact. A servant handed Fergus the sword Hiccup made and the young man smirked. At that moment Merida couldn't tell if he was brave or stupid. Fergus swung the new sword and Hiccup dodged the blade. Merida could tell her father was entering a state of fury. But while most were admiring the fire sword and the battle, Merida noticed a green cloud fall from the other end of Inferno's hilt. She wondered if that was the source of the flames. If it was then the flames might die soon. But the clouds grow, encasing the ring. At that moment everyone noticed. Hiccup disappeared in the clouds before a fiery explosion rocked the castle. When the smoke cleared, Fergus was against a wall getting help up from Hiccup. The battle showed everyone that this wee lad is one they shouldn't have underestimated.

"I hope there are no hard feelings your majesty." Hiccup remarked as Merida ran to her father's side.

"No. You might be a small lad, so you used a new angle for fighting. I see why Jayden calls you a good fighter." Fergus replied and Merida could tell her father had respect for the lad. A respect that was shared by everyone who saw the battle. Merida wondered what this man could not do?

Hello everyone. I hope you enjoyed my story and are having a wonderful day. Anyways, this is my first Merricup story and I will do my best. If I fail, then I can say I tried. Anyways, the next thing up is that I will not be available from the 28th to the 3rd. I will try to post a few chapters during that time, but I can't make any promises. Now I hope you guys can leave reviews. They do help me ID mistakes I may have made and try to correct them. Also, I like to see how you guys feel about the story. It'll help me make the story better in the future. Finally, Ukraine is still under siege by an evil dictatorship. Russia still claims to be denazify a free country. The only Nazis in the world are old fools whose beliefs are dying out and Putin himself. He had ordered the genocide of innocent people. To my Western readers, show your support for Ukraine. Do what you can to help. To my Ukraine readers, hold out. Russia has suffered losses unseen in decades. To my Russian readers, end this war. Go to your streets and demand the end of this madness. There is no glory, no greatness, no Russian heroes, no victory. Just horror, madness, losses, and coffins for you brothers, fathers, and sons. Go and pray for their lives, but as long as they are in Ukraine, they will only return six feet under the soil. This war means nothing to Russia. Putin is a madman who dreams of the times of Stalin, a bloody murder. End this war before Russia collapses with its own gun. End this war before Putin forces thousands more to die in vain. Glory to Ukraine.