Kingdom of Dunbroch

"Why would my parents ask you for supper?" Merida asked after Hiccup explained what happened and the Dragon Rider just shrugged. The Princess rubbed her chin as she paced back and forth. Her parents have only invited a few to supper and most of them were for peace and trade negotiations. Hiccup didn't have much to trade and he isn't the leader of a kingdom. Hiccup grabbed her hands and the touch of his palms calmed her.

"It's just one supper. No one besides us knows about dragons. This will be a simple evening with your folks. Nothing special." Hiccup remarked and Merida looked at his green eyes.

"And what if something happens? What if someone saw a dragon? You do have many here." Merida replied.

"Then I'll show Dunbroch that dragons aren't monsters. I showed you. I can show the rest of Dunbroch." Hiccup reassured and the two were silent. Noor nuzzled her head between Merida's arms, separating the two human hands. Hiccup rubbed the back of his head while Merida pet her dragon. The armored scales were cold, but she didn't care. They made Noor beautiful.

"Well Hiccup. Lets hope my parents don't try to kill you when it happens." Merida remarked and Hiccup chuckled.

"With Toothless be my side no one will want to."

Two Days Later - Kingdom of Dunbroch

Hiccup and Toothless landed in the woods near the castle. The Rider jumped off of his best friend and walked onto the dirt road to the castle. Hiccup turned to see Toothless disappear into the shadows. Nothing would happen, but Hiccup had to make sure he had an exit plan just in case. As he arrived at the castle, guards escorted him inside where Merida and her family had already started eating. All eyes were on Hiccup who waved at them. "Sorry, I'm late. Had to deal with a failed invention."

"Don't worry, we understand. Why don't you sit down." Queen Elinor replied motioning to the chair next to Merida. The man awkwardly sat next to her.

"So why did you ask me here your majesty?" Hiccup asked and King Fergus stopped eating his meat and looked at his wife.

"Well, with your amazing tools and weapons, me and Fergus decided to pay you to make more of your tools and weapons." Queen Elinor answered and Hiccup drank from his cup.

"I am honored and glad I impressed the Royal couple." Hiccup replied seeing a window to show Dunbroch about dragons.

"Aye, your sword has proven to be stronger than my old sword despite the lightness." King Fergus added and the young man smiled.

"Thank you sir." Hiccup remarked and the King laughed.

"Just call me Fergus boy. We're all warriors here." he replied before eating more meat.

"We can discuss the pricing of your inventory later. For now, let's enjoy this warm meal." Queen Elinor remarked and Hiccup nodded.

"Ah Mister Hiccup." one of the triplets said.

"Yes?"

"We need more of that Gel stuff." the Triplet answered earning chuckles from the family. Hiccup had heard from Merida the trouble they caused, but he didn't believe it until now. They reminded him of the Twins. Ruffnut and Tuffnut, the trouble makers.

"I'll have to return back home to get more Monstrous Nightmare Gel. I should have some more in reserve." Hiccup replied.

"What is this Monstrous Nightmare Gel? Kind of a strange name for it." Queen Elinor asked as she cut her chicken.

"Ah it's a special recipe I made some time ago. First time I tried making it I nearly burned my home down." Hiccup answered earning laughter from the table. "As for the name, it comes from a legend back from my home island."

"Ah legends. We have plenty of those. I reckon ours better." King Fergus remarked with glee.

"Well, a Monstrous Nightmare is one of the many dragons that once attacked my people." Hiccup replied earning eyes on him including Merida. "For centuries, my people fought the beasts killing thousands, but the raids kept coming. Until a boy managed to shoot down a dragon never seen by man before. A Night Fury, the unholy offspring of death and lighting itself." Hiccup continued and the Triplets leaned in close for the story. "No one believed him of course. After all, the Night Fury was faster than anything they had and he was just a disaster prone boy. So he went off to search for the dragon to make a name for himself and prove to his tribe that he isn't useless. After a long night of searching, he finally found the Night Fury tangled in ropes. He was so happy that he could earn the right to kill the Night Fury. But as he raised his dagger in the air, he looked at the Night Fury in the eyes. Seeing not a monster, but a creature scarred. Just like him."

"What he do next?" another Triplet asked and Hiccup chuckled.

"He cut the ropes freeing it. It ran off leaving the boy alive. He didn't tell anyone what happened, but he wondered why it let him live." Hiccup answered earning the Triplet's awe. "He went back to try and find the Night Fury and just as he was about to give up, he found the dragon in a large cove with high cliffs surrounding it. He saw it trying to climb out which puzzled the boy. After all, why not fly out. Then he got his answer. The dragon's tail was damaged by the boy. Feeling guilt and wanting to help the creature he harm, the boy made a new tail for the dragon, but for it to work he would have to ride on it."

"Riding a dragon? How do you ride a dragon?" the third Triplet asked.

"Well after days of earning the dragon's trust, he got the new tail attached and prepared to fly. On his first flight with the tail, they nearly got themselves killed. But once the boy learned how to fly with the Night Fury, they soared the skies in peace. Human and Dragon flying together. Not fighting and spilling blood. But flying to lands far from their own becoming a legend." Hiccup finished and the King nodded.

"I will admit, that is an interesting story." King Fergus remarked and Queen Elinor nodded.

"Yes, but legends are lessons, they ring with truth." Merida added and Queen Elinor smiled.

"Yes they do. I suppose this legend shows that even though there are centuries of war, there can be peace between foes." the Queen remarked and Hiccup smiled.

Merida saw Hiccup's smile and blushed. She was surprised that he told the story of meeting Toothless. Merida saw a look on her mother's smiling face and Merida knew that she knew that the woman had some feeling some for Hiccup. The Princess ate her supper as Fergus talked about his first fight against Mor'du at the cost of his leg. Hiccup volunteered to make a new peg leg for the King, but the prideful man refused. When supper was over, Merida rushed to her room trying to avoid her mother. As the door closed, Merida gave a sigh of relief. Then a knock on her door bolted her straight. The Princess opened the door with a smile. "What is it mum?"

"Mind if I come in?" Elinor asked and Merida opened the door wider to let her mother in. "So what do you think of Mister Hiccup?"

"Oh nothing, why?" Merida lied. "Why aren't you and da talking with Hiccup about his weapons?"

"Oh, we thought it be better for a good night's sleep and for the boy to consider what his skills are worth." Elinor answered as she looked at the tapestry both mother and daughter made. It was Merida holding the paws of Elinor as a bear. When the two bonded. "Remember when we made this?"

"Aye. We weren't separatable since then." Merida replied earning chuckles from both women.

"Aye, we weren't." Elinor remarked and Merida felt her palms sweat. "But I noticed that you've been acting different lately."

"I have?" Merida asked knowing it was true. Hiccup and his dragons have been on her mind of a late. But she couldn't help it. He was charming, funny, and amazing in every way.

"Don't give me that. We both know that ever since Hiccup arrived, you've been distracted yet happy. I've seen it tonight." Elinor remarked and Merida sat on her bed.

"Seen what?" Merida asked nervously.

"You like the boy. Don't you?" Elinor replied and Merida fell onto her bed. The mother lay beside her.

"I don't know. Ever since I accidentally found his house we've talked. He taught me a few skills." Merida remarked and Elinor grabbed her daughter's hand. "I found him to be charming, funny, and intriguing."

"Merida, it sounds like you're in love." Elinor replied with a giggle and Merida's eyes widen in disbelief. Could she be in love? She never thought of love except for adventure and freedom. But could she be in love with Hiccup? It sounded ridiculous, but at the same time, she wondered if she was in love with Hiccup and if he felt the same way.

"What should I do?" Merida asked and her mother chuckled.

"Ask Hiccup how he feels. Find out if he has the same feelings." Elinor answered and Merida knew she'll do that in the morning.

Next Morning- Kingdom of Dunbroch

Hiccup woke up to find himself in a guest room in Dunbroch Castle. Today he was going to discuss the cost of his inventory. A gateway to show Dunbroch that dragons aren't monsters. Many of Hiccup's inventions come from the dragons. If Hiccup can show Dunbroch the truth, then he might be able to show the world that dragons aren't the threat everyone thinks they are. The Rider got out of bed and put on his padded armor. As he put the light armor on, his thoughts turned to Merida. He wondered what Merida thought of what Hiccup was doing. Last night he told the story of how he and Toothless met. He knew she would wonder why he did it. But Hiccup wondered how she'll take it. When Hiccup opened the door, Merida was there to greet him. "Hey Merida. What's ya doing here?"

"We need to talk." Merida answered as she entered his room.

"Of course." Hiccup remarked as they turned to face each other. "I told your folks that story hoping to ease them into trusting dragons. I hope for peace between both humans and dragons." he added staring into her eyes. "Before I meet you I thought I would never be able to forge a peace, but you showed me that there can be peace." Hiccup added as he rubbed the back of his neck. "You gave me hope for that peace and for that I will always be grateful." he finished and Merida rubbed her arm. He wanted to tell her more of his feelings but he was afraid.

"Before I met you, I thought I would never experience so much and that I would only have the love of my family with me, but now I have these feelings. I just don't know I have now." Merida remarked and Hiccup smirked.

"I think I know what you're saying." he replied and the Princess smiled.

"So what now?" she asked and Hiccup just shrugged.

"I have no idea. But we'll do it together." Hiccup promised and the two held hands. They both smiled in joy.