This is a series of one shots with different AUs, Big fours, or anything else that involves Merida and Hiccup. If any of you have suggestion or requests your more than welcome to ask me.
I don't know Brave nor do I own How to Train your Dragon or any of the characters in the movie or other character used in this chapter. Although there behaviors may be change for the one shots.
This is the prequel of chapter one a glimpse on how the Vikings and Scotts came to have a treaty and how Merduis (Merida but a boy) and Hicca (Hiccup but a girl)met.
Merduis point of view:
"I thought this idea of marriage was put to rest," I shouted, slamming my hand on the table.
"Merduis you will control your temper do you hear me, I am the Queen, your mother." My mother says a warning in her voice as her stare turns into a glare, her chine lifted slightly.
"The lords agreed to allow our generation to love and marry who we pleased." I say my fists clenched strongly at my side a snarl on my face.
"Yes that is what was agree, but it's been two years Merduis. You are still not married and with these new problems in the kingdom-"
"You mean the dragons mother. They aren't our normal problem of trade and harvesting. There devils of the sky."
My mother stares at me for a moment taking a deep breathe her squares her shoulders, and although I have grown to the height of my father, I was still intimidated of my mother. "With these dragon attack, the lords are afraid that if something were to happen to your father and I you would be alone on the throne, no wife, no heir, no ruler for a kingdom thrown in desperate times."
"So some overgrown lizards fall from the sky and suddenly I have to get married. Its not fair, you can't make me." I shout grabbing my bow off the table and trying my best to storm out of the room.
"You can't stop this Merduis, the clans will be here by tomorrow evening I suggest you make your peace with this. Unlike last time we do not have the time to try and find away around this. The attacks are increasing, are food is scarce, our people scared, all four clans need to come together more now than ever."
I growled, throwing the doors open "THIS ISN'T FAIR" I shouted, storming my way out of the castle, making my way to the stable, my whole body tensed, my knuckled clenched white around my bow.
I made my way to Angus, not even bothering to put a saddle on him, I took him out of his pen with ease jumped on his back, he must have known what I was feeling because as soon as I was ready he launched himself into a canter. I clenched onto Angus' hair as he speed his way away from the castle. It was evening so I didn't have long to be out, if this night was going to be the same as the last two nights the dragons will be back and I will have to make it back to the village to try and protect what is left of our livestock.
I knew my mother was right, as much as I hated to admit it she almost always was. 'But marriage' I thought, with disgust. Angus making a sharp turn as we went deeper into the forest. 'It's these stupid dragons fault if they hadn't come, than I wouldn't have to marry.' I thought, my teeth starting to ache from how hard they were clenched.
Suddenly Angus reared up. I gripped his neck tightening my legs. "Woah boy easy Angus easy," but Angus was scared, he was stomping his feet trying his best to turn around. "Angus what's wrong" I shout, but the horse wouldn't listen. So I leapt off of him drawing an arrow, getting my bow ready. Angus was neighing stomping his feet louder. "Angus shh" I muttered walking slowly into the woods. It was about sun set now, and as I looked around I noticed that we were by the river my mum and I fished when she was a bear.
I quietly made my way through the bushes; not wanting to alert whatever it was that Angus was reacting to. I slowly made my way into the clearing, only to see a giant beast in the river. I suppressed my gasp the grip on my bow tightening as I ducked behind a tree. It was a dragon; it was smaller than some of the other dragons I had seen. It had a sleeker build, all black, and it appeared to be fishing. As quietly as I could I removed myself from my hiding spot, my bowstring pulled back ready to fire. The dragon must have sensed me because it quickly turned around.
I watched as its eyes narrowed, it let out a roar its wings expanding. Right as I was about to release the arrow, I found myself tackled to the floor. I was tackled from my side and as we crash to the ground I could only gasp out of surprise. My attacker was on top of me trying to rip my bow from my hand, he was a skinnier lad, shorter than me to, but what was odd was that he was wearing a leather outfit. He was completely covered in leather, pieces of armor on his shoulder, with an odd red painted symbol on it, resembling a monster of some kind, he also had pieces of padded armor on his forearm. He was wearing a leather helmet with small spikes, so I couldn't see his face; only that he had emerald colored eyes.
As we wrestled for control which wasn't really hard for me because I out weighed him, but the leather attacker was scrappy and he knew how to avoid being pinned. Just as I was about to pin him I heard a roar come from my side. Before I knew it the dragon was lunging at us. As I tried to pull my bow back with me, but my attacker pulled it back towards him not willing to let go of it. Not thinking I punched him, shocking him enough to let go of the bow. Quickly I rolled away just as the dragon leapt in front of my leather-clad attacker.
Putting as much space as I could between us I drew another arrow readying my bow. The dragon was bearing its teeth giving a low hiss his claws extended. Suddenly the figure behind the dragon stood up. Apparently when I punched him, the helmet had come off. The dragon's body was hiding him, but I could tell that he was grabbing his chin a smirk found its way on my face.
"An' who are you" I shout pointing my bow at my attacker only to have the dragon jump in front of him completely covering him from view.
"Toothless" I hear, but the voice was in no way masculine, if anything it sounded feminine. The dragon growled, but lowered itself so that I could somewhat see my attacker and what I saw I nearly dropped my bow. My attacker wasn't a male, it was a female, she had shoulder length brown hair a braid on her right side, and her face had a few freckles that went from one side of her cheek over the bridge of her button nose to the other cheek. She seemed shocked and a little worried as she glanced at my bow. "We don't want any trouble," she says, petting the dragon beside her, the dragoon beside her inched closer to her…protecting her, a snarl still present.
"Trouble you attacked me" I shout drawing back on the bowstring. The dragon roared, almost lunging at me, but the girl restrained him with a simple stroke of its neck.
"You were going to shoot Toothless." She shouts, suddenly getting defensive herself.
"It's a dragon," I shouted, the dragon roared, but just as I was about to let the arrow fly, I heard something coming. The girl and I both turned to see what it was, it was palace guards, and unlike me they didn't hesitate to shoot their arrows.
"Toothless come on" the girl shouts scrambling out of the way of fire as an arrow landed in front of the pair. The dragon leaped into action and with out missing a beat, circled the girl as she leapt on its back and began to ride the dragon away.
"Hold it," I shout, and again with out thinking I fired my arrow, based on the surprised gasp I heard I'm going to guess that I hit her. 'Shit' I thought, whistling for Angus, as the palace guards got closer. 'Maybe I can still catch her.'
The palace guards reached me the same time Angus did. "My prince are you alright?" one asked.
"I fine" I snapped thinking about how I just lost the girl and her dragon.
"We heard a dragon-"
"Its fine" I snapped glaring at the guards. I could see them flinch at my tone "I had the situation under control until you three showed up. You created a distraction and let her get away."
"Her sire?"
"The girl that rode off on the dragon, it was like her damn pet" I shout, the guards began to murmur to themselves asking each other if they say a girl, they shook their head making comments about anyone let alone a girl riding a beast like a dragon.
I clenched my teeth in annoyance "What is it that you needed?" I asked, trying my best to remain calm.
"The dragons have been spotted around the horizon we are preparing for an attack. You mother ordered us to return you home."
"I am not going home" I shout, "I am not a child, I am participating in the attack." Just as I was about to leap on Angus' back something caught the corner of my eye. It was the girl's leather mask. As I picked it up, running my fingers over the well-crafted helmet. I took a deep breath, trying my best to calm myself down and think everything through.
"Returned to the village and participate in the raid, I will return home, there is something I have to discuss with my mother." It wasn't what I wanted to do, but it was the right move to make. The guards looked at me skeptically, so I sighed, jumping on Angus' back "You have my word." The guards nodded knowing that to a Scott their word is their bond. The guards left as I made my way to the castle.
By the time we reached the castle I knew that the attack was just about to start, there's always that still feeling in the air right before we hear thunderous flaps of wings and fire erupts from the sky. I quickly place Angus in his stall, tossing him a bag of oats promising him a good brush down in the morning. He neighed slightly disappointed, but ate his oats.
Grabbing the leather mask, I quickly made it inside the castle. "Mum" I shouted, running around the castle, not caring if I looked like an oversized chicken with its head cutoff.
As I slam open the doors to the dining room I hear "Merduis." I see my mother sitting in her chairs doing paper work a plate of food off to her side as the triplets surround her; it seems even with a dragon attack she was still going to make sure we have our dinner. I noticed that my father was absent, but made no comment about it already knowing that he was in the village fighting. "I was sure that you were going to disobey me," she says raising her eyes to look me over, she must notice my demeanor because she rises from her seat "What happened?"
I placed the helmet on the table, she looks at it and than at me waiting for an explanation. "I was attacked early today, by a girl in a leather outfit…she was…and I know this sounds crazy…but she was being protected by a dragon." My mother's eyes widen and the boys look at each other and than at me just as stunned as my mother.
"Boys" my mother says sharply gaining their attention "go to your rooms." The boys look at each other nodding and although they left the room, I know they are somewhere in the walls listening.
My mother walks over to the helmet, gently picking it up. "Tell me everything," she says, her voice firm, the voice of a Queen. So I did, I told her how I found the dragon, how I was attacked, how I realized my attacker was a female, how she escaped, I told her everything. Through out the story my mother would purse her lips running a hand over the helmet in her hands.
"Do you know where the lass is from?"
"No, but I'm guessing the lass isn't from around here."
My mother pursed her lips again "did the lass have any symbols on her."
I squint my eyes trying to remember the symbol on her shoulder. "One it was on her shoulder pad it was red and looked like some type of monster, it wasn't a clan symbol I have seen before."
"Can you redraw it?" my mother asks, already grabbing a piece of paper and pen from the table.
I do my best to redraw the symbol, but I'm better with a sword than with a pen. I begin to shade the drawing in when my mum gasped beside me. She snatched the drawing from me. She examines it for a moment longer her mouth open in shock her eyes showing a slight emotion of terror, but as quickly as it appeared it disappeared behind the façade of a fearless Queen. "Come with me" she says taking the drawing with the helmet turning effortless out of the room.
I follow behind her not sure where exactly we are going. Until finally she turns and enters the library, I groan, "Mum is this really the time to read."
My mother glares at me for a moment, silencing any complaint I made have had. She places the helmet and the drawing on the table before she disappears somewhere beyond the stacks of book. After a moment she returns with a huge red book, it was old and torn, my mum blew dust off the cover, making sure she did in fact have the right book. She nodded to herself placing the book down as she began to search the book. After a moment of standing in silence my mother turns the book towards me. "Is this the symbol the lass had on?"
I move closer to the table, picking up the book, and there it was an exact replica of the symbol. My mother makes an tsk noise; I look up from the book to see her starting to mutter to herself as she makes her way of the room.
"Mum wait" I shout, grabbing the helmet off the table.
However my mum wasn't listening to me she shouted for a guard and when one came to her side she demanded extra protection around the village and the castle "Mum" I say standing beside her.
She dismisses the guard "we have to prepare."
"Prepare for what?"
She sighs "had you paid attention to your history lessons you would have known that the symbol you saw is the same symbol that belongs to a Viking clan" she says calmly her voice cold.
My eyes widen "Vikings" I repeat looking down at the helmet in my hand.
"Ayy the lass belongs to the Hairy Hooligans tribe, one of the main tribes to invade us in the Great War."
I froze taking all the information in, 'I was attacked by a Viking, a girls Viking, with a dragon…Viking and dragons…Viking and dragons.' I gasped, "Do you think the dragon attacks are Viking attacks."
"Its possible" my mother says "if they are responsible for the attacks, than it's a good idea that the lords are coming, this needs to be discussed. The Vikings fought hard, but if they have dragons than this war could be something we are completely unprepared for." My mother was doing best to keep her emotions hidden, but I can see the rage in her eyes, the anger and fear that our people may have to go through another long war. "Merduis I want you to stay close to the castle, we can't afford to be reckless." She says, giving me a hard glare.
"I understand," I say still feeling numb. I hear my mother walk away probably to talk more with the castle guards. Gripping the helmet tight in my hand I began to make my way towards my room. I don't remember closing the door, I don't remember throwing the helmet as hard as I could against the wall, I don't remember grabbing my large sword slamming it continuously into my bed posts and I definitely don't remember falling asleep on the floor leaning against my bed.
As I woke up I could hear loud shouts and people running in the hallway. Not wasting any time I stood up sheathing my sword and attaching it to my waist I ran outside my room to see what was going on. The maids were running around as well as the guards. Finally I spotted our loyal servant Mauide, pushing her way through the crowd with a bucket of water.
"Maudie what's going on" I ask, running after her.
"Its your father" is all she says as she tries to run faster without spilling the bucket of water. For a moment I am frozen, but as I begin to catch up with the world, I begin to follow Maudie.
She stops in front of my parent's bedroom, opening the door before rushing inside. I follow slamming the door behind me. Everyone looks at me, but I can only focus on the giant form of my father lying on his bed bloody and groaning in discomfort.
"Dad" I shout, rushing to his side, guards moving out of my way, as I stand beside my mother. She was worried her eyes almost filled with tears as she looks at her husband.
"What happened?" I snapped turning to glare at the guards. They cower for a moment and in my rage I step towards them ready to beat the answers out of them if I need to. My mother grabs my arm holding me back, and I can feel her hands shaking. Still angry I glare at the guards telling them to leave. They waste no time leaving the room. Now it was only the healers, Maudie, my mother, and I hovering over my father.
"It was a dragon" my mother finally says "he went into a farm, trying to save the farmers from the burning building. The guards lost sight of him, by the time they found him he was outside of the barn completely ablaze, but there were spike sticking out of his torso." My mother was trembling again, so I grabbed her shoulder bringing her closer to me. Like my father I gained his height so my mother was only about chin height on me, but right now she seemed even smaller. I felt her tremble for a while longer, no one in the room making a sound.
The healers removed the spikes and tried to patch up my father until one healer hissed. "What is it?" I ask, still holding onto my mother.
"The spikes, they are poison" says the healer, holding the spike closer to his eye "it has a type of slick coating on it, I'm going to guess its poison."
"Can you heal him or not" my mother shouts ripping herself away from my side. Her eyes are blazing her fist clenched.
"I'm not sure your majesty…we will do all we can for him" the healer says bowing his head, doing his best to keep hope in us without promising anything.
My mum is shaking again, but this time it's not out of fear, or sadness, it's out of anger. As she turns her dress and hair swirling around her she looks like warrior thirsting for blood rather than a diplomatic Queen. "Those dragons will pay." She mutters her knuckles white form being clenched so hard. "The lords arrive later today, we will discuss our plan of action then." She says turning towards me. She turns her head towards the healer "For now your only concern is to heal my husband is that clear." The healer bows his head, but says nothing as he gets back to work. "Maudie take care of the triplets, Merduis follow me" is all my mum says as she storms out of the room. Her shoulders are squared her strives even and strong, and for a moment it looks like she is gliding rather than walking into battle.
I follow her keeping silent, my hand resting on my sword. I tried to focus on the chaos happening around us anything to keep my mind from playing the image of my father on his bed bleeding possibly dying. "Merduis" my mother shouts catching my attention "he will be alright, your father won't die so easily." I nod my head trying to focus "Right now we need to keep the citizens calm, we need to prepare for the lords and find a solution for this problem." She says problem with so much disgust.
"I understand," I say standing up straighter, remembering all my prince lessons. My mother gives me a sorrowful look, but it was only for a moment. Her eyes harden once more and she turned back around. This was not the time to be careless, to be weak. Our people were looking to us for guidance we cannot look panicked; we needed to set an example to show them that everything will be all right.
The guards were given their orders, the civilians given they tools they would need to rebuild their homes, the servants preparing for the lords, my brothers were behaving –but that could be because of the shock of what happened with dad-, and finally after what seemed like forever the lords finally came.
They came to the palace in such a ruckus demanding answer, but as they entered the throne room and gazed upon my mother they were silence, each taking their respective side of the throne room. I stood by mother watching them all finally take in the serious of the situation. I watched as each of the lords daughters walked beside there fathers all of them looking terrified, none of them doing a very good job at hiding their emotions. I'm sure the lords and their daughters didn't expect our land to look like a battlefield.
My mother began to speak, she told the lords about everything that has happened. She told them everything that happened, stressing the fact that these dragons were demons from the sky. Finally she told them of my father and an up roar took the throne room, but my mother silenced them all with one look. The lords and men coward as the daughters looked at my mother with envy. It was than that she told them of the Viking lass. This time the up roar was even louder and my mother didn't even try to stop it. My mother explained that the lass had a dragon under her control so it was possible that this was a Viking attack, however with just her being seen it was still unlikely, but such a possibility could not be ruled out. The lords disagreed jumping at the idea that this was a Viking attack, that they were to cowardly to fight us on even ground that they needed dragons. As my mother let their anger fuel, I could see three blobs of red out of the corner of my eye. I turned my head and watched the forms of my brother become clearer, at first I thought they were going to pull a prank, but as I looked at their face I knew they were just looking for answers. I kept silent, turning my attention back to the mob in front of me.
Eventually the lords pledged to help us, already making plans to set their troops around the castle. One of the lords brought up my marriage. I could feel myself tense, but my mother was ready for such a question. She explained that due to the situation it was unwise to have the lords daughters stay here with us, she explained that they should be sent home and the marriage postponed, since I would not be able to get to know the girls enough to chose a suitable partner because I would most likely be needed fighting. The lords went into another uproar this one unplanned, but not unseen. After much compromise and risk talking it was decided that the daughters would stay and through out the day I would spend time with them getting to know them in hopes of choosing a suitable wife. In other words I was still to get married, no time limit was given, but if things got any worse they would probably have me married that day.
The negotiation and room placement took well into the night and with the sound of thunder and rain, everyone somewhat relaxed doubting an attack would occur during the middle of a storm. However the guards were still order to take watch.
After the meeting with the lords was done I excused myself, I could tell my mother wanted me to talk with the daughter and the lords, but I thought checking on my brothers was more important. I knew they left the meeting the minute we started talking about my marriage. I stopped by the kitchen before walking up the stairs, and with as much caution as I could walked into the triplets' room, knowing that there was most likely a trap somewhere in their room.
However it was all for not because they were all huddled together on Hamish's bed. The usually happy trickster seemed so sad and I could feel another surge of hate for the dragons flow through me. I unstrapped the sword on my side and gently pushing the triplets to make room I laid on the bed my legs sticking out. The triplets instantly swarmed me. One sitting on my lap as the other two took to my side. Out of my pocket I pulled out some pastries I stole from the kitchen, but they remained untouched, no one really hungry everyone still reeling for today's events. I wasn't sure what to do to comfort my brothers so I sighed gatherings them in my arms and began to sing an old Scottish song one that my mum used to sing to me. Eventually exhaustion hit all of us because it wasn't until the next morning commotion woke us up.
I woke up to a guard barging in the room; he startled my brother awake, Hubert nearly falling off the bed. I glared at the guard he quickly spurted out an apology, but said that my mother demanded my presence in the throne room. I looked at him and than my brother. "It's going to be okay" I say to my brothers as I leap off the bed my bones cracking. I strapped my sword back to my waist and after ruffling the hair of my brothers I left the room.
As I rushed the hallways I could hear murmurs all around harsh whispers, tense postures, and me rushing past them wondering what would have possible happened now. It felt like eternity when I finally reached the throne room. I swung the door open my mother sitting in my father's seat as the lords and their daughters take their own place. Each lord having a small squad of men behind them, even my mother had guards next to her.
I went to take my spot beside my mum trying to figure out what exactly could have happened to put such a cold expression on my mum. Silently I made my way towards her standing besides her chair feeling like I need to guard her rather than sit next to her.
My mum raised herself from her chair and said, "Bring the prisoner in." I looked at my mother for a moment wondering what prisoner she could have been talking about. The doors opened and in walked four guards surrounding a person a sack over the prisoner's head.
As they walked closer the lords stepping aside the guard shoved the prisoner in from of them causing them to fall to their knees their hands chained behind them. However what I did notice before the sack was even removed was that the prisoner was wearing a leather outfit. 'It can't be' I thought taking a step forward so I was standing next to my mother.
Thy removed the sack and all I could see was enraged emerald eyes, brown hair falling around her bruised face. Her cheek was bruised and her lip was busted opened a diagonal cut on her cheek, dirt in her hair and scrapes on her forehead.
"Viking you were caught sneaking into our village-" the lass interrupted my mother.
"Sneaking" she spat "I walked into the village there was no sneaking, I turned myself in to speak with you," she shouted trying to lift herself up from the floor, only to have a guard behind her kick her down. The girl growled, but stayed on the ground.
"Viking" my mother started again, but the girl interrupted again.
"I have a name" she shouted, this time a guard slapped her, the girl falling to her side.
"Are the dragons your doing" my mother asks her face cold her voice sending shivers even down my spine as we completely ignore the treatment our guards just displayed. "Did you send them here to start a war?"
The lass looked shocked "what are you talking about, the Vikings have nothing to do with your village being attack"
"My son saw you with a dragon, but yet you walked into the village alone where is it?"
"HE" the lass stressed "is none of your concern I came to help you and seeing how your men treated me I'm glad I didn't bring him along" with some difficulty she straighter herself on her knees "tell me is this how you treat those who wish to help you" she spat "beating them when they haven't even tried to defend themselves when all they ask to do is help."
"Why would a Viking want to help us?" shouted a lord Dingwall, taking a step towards the girl a snarl on his face.
"It's a trick, she's just the first of many" shouted Lord Macintosh his blue war paint already on. "Viking have no pride your majesty they lie and cheat do not believe a word this monster says"
The lass growled her face getting red her jaw tightened "how dare you" she shouts "I came here unarmed, alone, I have spoken nothing but the truth. I evened saved some of your men in the last raid and you dare to call me a monster, I am not the one that chained and beat an innocent traveler"
"Traveler" lord Dingwall scoffed "you are a Viking and all Vikings are blood lusting beasts, you're not a traveler you're an invader."
The girls growled again, but said nothing her head bowed "this was a mistake" she whispers "I should have know that you highlanders would be blinded by past feuds that even while your villages burn while your people starve, guards wounded, you still wouldn't put your petty feeling aside." The girl lifted her head glaring at me mother. I tried my best not to flinch at the glare she through my way, because as I looked at her shoulder pad I could see an arrow tip stuck in the padding.
The lords were shouting again, but I was more focused on this lass in front of me, my father told me stories of Vikings. They were massive beasts with a craving for fighting and blood; they were vicious and had no sense of loyalty or pride. They were more animal than man, but...but this lass was nothing like how my dad described them.
As the lords got louder my mother raised her hand silencing the room.
She looked at the Viking lass long and hard she took a step forward and the guards quickly rushed in front of her most likely to protect her from the Viking. She only had to glare at them for them to step aside. She stood in front of the lass glaring down at her, but the lass did nothing but stare back.
"What men did you save Viking."
"I saved many of your men last night, but none of then will admit to being saved from a Viking. I'm learning that highlander pride stops them from accomplishing some tasks." There was another uproar, but my mother did not silence them instead she started speaking the lords silencing themselves to hear her.
"Give me one example and I may start to believe you Viking."
"There was one he was a massive man in a fur cape with a peg leg an unruly red hair" I could hear my mothers sharp intake of breath, but the Viking continued staring at my mothers reaction "he was knocked out in a burning barn, he was fighting a herd of Deadly Nadders…you know the blue ones with the spike, but that man's probably dead now." She says looking down, guilty.
My mother started to shake her voice trembling when she spoke "why would you say that."
The girl simply raised an eyebrow "He was hit with many poisonous spikes. With his size he may be alive, but without the antidote he will be dead."
My mother took another step forward her hands clenched "you know this antidote."
This time the girl tilted her head searching my mother's expression "you know that man don't you…he means something to you." The girl looked down muttering to herself and than she started to burst into laughter, everyone in the room tensed. "Isn't that rich the man I saved was the king of Scotland. So I'm guess by your questioning he's still alive."
My mother shook with anger and grabbing the girl by her leather armor lifting her up to a standing position. "You will tell me that antidote."
"Or what" the lass hissed, "You'll hit me, torture me…oh wait your people have already done that." The lass was slouching as if she was off balanced I looked down at her legs and noticed that one of her legs was missing from the knee down.
"You will tell us that antidote or I will personally see to it that you sit in a prison cell your whole life" the lass seemed unimpressed "and the only time you will see the light of day is to see your dragon executed." This got a reaction from the girl; her eyes narrowed her jaw clenched.
"If you want my help that is the wrong way to do it." The lass started to lean into my mother "You'll never catch my dragon, and you can put me in a jail cell and watch your husband die." This time it was my mother's jaw that tightened. "And when he dies and you're burying him your family and land riddled with sadness and grief just remember someone was willing to help you, someone was willing to save your precious king." Before I knew it my mother slapped the girl the sound echoing around the room, with her missing leg and my mothers hit the girl fell into the floor crashing on her side.
She cringed at the suddenly impact curling into herself for a moment, but then she laid on her back and taking a deep breath she said "You can hit me all you want, doesn't change anything. He will die with out my help and honestly all I wanted was to help you, but if you can't get over getting help from a Viking than so be it, I won't beg to help you."
My mother growled at her and as she took another step forward I rushed in front of her. "Mother you need to calm down, we need to think this over. Now is not the time to get emotional." My mother gave me a hard stare, but I knew I was right. My mum turned around standing in front of her chair her back to us.
"Take her away," my mother says, the guards began to pick the girl up rather roughly.
"Not another scratch on the lass" I shout, the guard pause for a moment everyone in the room staring at me as if I've gone mad. "Any more scratches on that girl and you will deal with me, I won't have my fathers health be put at risk because you guards can't control your temper." The guards looked down embarrassed maybe even a little guilty. The lass looked at me oddly before rolling her eyes, clearly not impressed. Everything was silent until the lass was hauled out the door shut behind them. My mother sat down in my dad's chair. Everyone was silent.
"You can't obviously be thinking of trusting a Viking," shouted lord Macintosh.
"Ayyy she is probably lying the minute she seems the king she'll probably kill'em" said Lord Dingwall waddling forward.
"But what if she can actually save him" muttered lord MacGuffin. The other lords looked at him shocked. "What is the lass has her own dragon than she knows how to handle them." He says defending himself, crossing his large arms in front of him.
"You're telling us to trust a Viking," shouted lord Macintosh outraged, waving his arms wildly.
"I don't want to work with a Viking any more than you do, but we are running low on options." As the other two lords were about to snap at him my mother interrupted them.
"That is enough, I will consult the healers and discuss my husbands health, gather the guards from the last attack I wish to speak with them. That is all for right now."
"Milady we all do respect-"
"I said that was all for right now." My mother shouts her voice rising for the first time. The lords cringed, their daughters ducking behind their father. The lords and their daughter bowed their heads and left the throne room their men following close behind.
"Mum" I say kneeling beside her chair. She sighs bringing her hand to rub her forehead.
"I need to go see your father I need to validate that Vikings story." She says closing her eyes for a moment, taking in deep breaths.
"And than what" I asked, truly curious to know if my mother had a plan, but all I got is a sigh from her.
"We have to take this one step at a time" she says standing "such a situation has never happened before." She places a hand on my shoulder, she seemed so tired, but before I could comment on it she gives me a small smile and turned leaving the room.
For a moment I just stood there, I felt numb again. For the first time I had no idea what to do and neither did my mother. We weren't fighting for what we thought was best for the future; we weren't fighting to control out fate. Right now we were desperate gripping at any idea to save us. My hand made it to the hand of my sword my grip tight around the hilt, but I knew where I was going I wouldn't need a sword. I took a deep breath my hand dropping from my sword and I began to make my way to the dungeon.
Before entering the dungeon I dismissed the guards knowing that I would need to talk with the lass in private. They left reluctantly, but could tell I was in no mood to deal with them. Once they left I began to walk down the stairs to the dungeons leaving my sword at the bottom of the staircase.
The dungeons were colder than I though, the air stale, the only light coming from the few torches hanging on the wall.
"And what do I owe this visit" came a voice in the dark. I took one of the torches and began to make my way to the occupied cell that was surrounded in darkness. The girl was sitting in the corner of the cell sitting on the ground her leg stretched out in front of her.
"I came to talk with you." I said trying to see the lass, but I could only make out her figure not her face. "Tell me did the guards hurt you."
The lass gives a dry laugh "tell me do you only care because I can save your father."
"Yes" I say honestly "the only reason I'm here is because I want you to save my dad."
"You know that meeting might have gone nicer if your mum didn't threaten my friend."
This time I looked at her oddly "what friend?" I ask, trying to remember if we made any more threats to Viking. "The only threat we made was to you and your dragon." I said, there was only silence. I gripped the bars of the prison "You mean you refuse to save my dad because my mom threatened your pet." This time I was shouting.
"He is not a pet, he is my friend." She shouts, and that's when I knew this wasn't going well. That this isn't how a conversation went when you needed a person's help, especially when your people wronged that person.
"I'm sorry" I say not meaning it, "but you were willing to let my dad die."
"Only after your mum threaten to kill my friend, I turned myself in to your guards. I came to your castle unarmed to speak to your mum to help you with the dragons and instead I get beat, thrown in a jail cell, my leg stolen, dragon threatened, and insulted, worst of all their prince who shot me with a arrow in the shoulder is standing in front of me spilling insincere apologies in hope that he can trick me" she spat, I cringed at her tone knowing that she was right.
"What makes you an expert on dragons." I asked, truly curious on why she thinks she alone can save us from the dragons.
"Because I'm the first dragon rider," she says sighing, "you hate Vikings because of our past war, but I grew up in a different war. My war was with dragons not highlanders. Vikings and dragons fought longer than the highlanders and the Viking did, but even that war ended and we were able to live together." Shy says with a sigh.
"How" I ask curious on how dragons and Vikings were actually able to live together.
"Not important" she says, sounding tired.
I can feel my jaw tightening "you say you came her to talk so talk."
"What's the point of talking if I'm just considered a liar, besides I came her to talk to someone in power not a messenger." She spat, I growled at her using my free hand to grab one of the bars.
"Well all you have is me, a prince so deal with it." The girl remained silent "you can either talk to me and I can try to talk my mum, or you can sit here in this cell for the rest of your life." It was silent again and a thought hit me "unless your dragon is planning on coming to get you." She says nothing "that's why you aren't concerned by a jail sentence you don't plan on staying here long."
"Get me my leg and maybe we'll talk."
"Are you really in a position to negotiate." I ask raising an eyebrow at the lass.
"Can you really afford to not listen to me?" As much as I wanted to argue with her I knew the lass was right..
"What happened to it?"
"Oh gee I don't know why don't you ask the guards."
I sighed, "I'll be right back."
"I'll be here, sitting in a hard cold dusty cell."
I walked away from the lass "The sass isn't need." Only to hear her shout, "deal with it."
It didn't take long to find the girls leg and I had to say it was a pretty advance peg leg, while my fathers was just wood, hers was all metal the contraption looking somewhat like an actual leg. I walked back to the girl cell only to see that she had moved. Instead of sitting in the back corner she was sitting in front of the cell leaning against the right wall.
"Ahh you found it and here I thought your guards scraped it" now that she was closer I could see her face and noticed that she had a large bruise on her cheek probably from my mum. 'She did learn a lot of things when she was a bear.' I thought sitting in front of the girl the only thing separating us was the bars of the cell.
"Here" I say handing the lass her leg, but she doesn't take it. "Don't you want it," I snapped throwing it at the girl.
"Oh I would love to have my leg back, but your guards were so nice they let me keep my metal bracelets" she says turning a bit so I can see that her hands are still tied in her metal cuff. I sigh walking away as I go to grab the keys for the metal cuffs, but I couldn't find it, and I wasn't going to ask a guard, but I did find the key to the door. Pocketing the key I made my way back to the lass to tell her the bad news.
"I can't find the key." I say placing the touch back where it was before, sitting in front of her.
She's grinning at me "That's fine I don't need them." She says throwing the cuffs in front of me. I look at the girl wondering how she got them off. I picked up the cuffs and they weren't damaged or even faulty.
"How?" I asked, looking at the lass as she carefully examines her leg, after giving it a nod of satisfaction she attaches the metal prosthetic to her knee. She gives a small grunt of pain and I can see she's biting her lip.
"Does that hurt?" I ask, realizing that I had never asked my dad about his missing leg. One day it was there and the next it wasn't, I knew he lost it to Mor'du, but I never really asked him if it bothered him or hurt. He always seemed fine; he was the bear king after all.
"We're Vikings we love pain" she says rolling her eyes as she beings to move her leg. Then she started to stare at her wrist. They were red, but because of her outfit it prevented the metal from digging into her skin.
I ignore her sass, rolling my own eyes. I wasn't sure what to ask her first to I again asked her how she got out of her didn't answer, but her face did get a little red as she began to play with her metal leg.
Finally she asked me "How's your dad?" she was looking at the ground rather than at me bring her leg to her chest rested her chin on it.
"Dying as you kindly put it." The lass flinches as if I had just slapped her, which I don't know why its not like she hasn't said it herself.
"I'm sorry I said that, I was just angry." She sighs turning her cheek the other way so she wasn't looking at me. It surprised me that I could actually tell that she felt bad, but why a Viking would care about a highlander especially their king getting hurt. If anything she as a Viking should be happy.
After a moment she turned to look at me her head resting on the cell wall "so what exactly do you want to know?"
"Everything?" I say and I couldn't help but mean it. I wanted to know everything about the dragons, the Vikings, but especially this lass in front of me. 'Who walks into enemy territory and says hey they're in trouble let me help them.' I thought leaning against the bars of the jail cell.
"I was 14 when I meet Toothless that's my friends name-" and she talked well into the night. She told me almost everything; I could tell that she kept something's to herself. Like when it came to her dragon she was very secretive just saying that they became friends after she shot him down or when she told me about the Red Death I could tell that she may have downplayed her role in it. It wasn't hard to tell when she glossed over something because her voice would speed up and when she paused she would bite her lip only to hiss slightly when she remembered it was busted.
"So why do you think the dragons are here?" I asked.
"I'm not sure?" she says honestly "we noticed that they're weren't as many dragons migrating to us like they were before, so I decided to investigate. Toothless was able to track them here, but we lost them soon after that. To be honest we were waiting for an attack to follow them back. We were ready to follow them on the last attack, but you highlanders have no idea what you're doing out there."
I bristle at the insult and although I know she didn't mean it the way I was taking it I still felt the need to defend ourselves. "We know how to fight, we were fighting those dragons for the last few weeks without your help."
The lass looked at me for a moment allowing me to get angry, but looking completely bored. When I was down she continued, "I have a theory and I'm hoping I'm wrong." I could tell by her voice that she was tired, but I wasn't ready to leave just yet. I wanted to learn more about this lass, so I kept asking her question and she would always answer. For some reason it was nice to talk to this lass, she wasn't like the lasses around her, she had other thoughts rather than how to get my attention or to get on the throne. She rides and trains dragons for wisp sake.
"And what would that be?"
She sighs her eyes dropping for a moment her voice getting lower. "I think its another Red Death, I think she's colonizing close to Scotland, these dragons that are attacking right now are gathering her food so she doesn't eat them."
"What does that mean for you and Toothless?"
"If its anything like the last one, we fight it and free the dragons from her reign." This time she gives a loud groan. "Hopefully I don't loose another leg" she jokes, but I frowned not finding anything funny about that.
I sigh and stand up stretching for a moment. "Well you can't help anyone in there," I say grabbing the key I swiped a while back. I went to the door and unlocked it. I could tell that I shocked the lass based on her gapping mouth.
"Your going to let me out…just like that." She suddenly looked a lot more awake, her eyes narrowed and she placed her back firmly into the wall.
"It's not just like that. I believe you." I say stretching my hand out towards her. "Besides you were going to cave eventually, you weren't actually going to let my dad die, it was just a bluff."
"I wasn't bluffing," she says her voice a high squeak her face red "I wasn't going to beg to help you." She crossed her arms, pouting.
I give a small chuckle, moving my hand closer to her. "Come on we have work to do …Viking…" noticing that this whole time we talked I never once asked for her name.
She smiled and slowly began to stand up. She stumbles for a bit her body tired and most likely already asleep, but I don't make a move to help the lass she was a warrior not a lady. I watched, as she seemed to adjust her leg before walking over to me. She was a lot smaller than I expected. She was shorter than my mom in height, but the leather outfit showed off just how small she really is although she is curvy its hard to imagine her training dragons.
She took my hand that was engulfed by my larger one, her hands were soft, but scarred I could feel the lifted skin as she gave my hand a squeeze.
"My name is Hicca"
I smiled "Its nice to meet you Hicca I'm Merduis," and as I led her out of the dungeons, as I defended her against the lords, and introduced her to my mother as I watched her heal my father I knew that things were changing. For a moment I was scarred at what type of change Hicca could bring, but as she gave me her crooked smile I couldn't help, but think that everything would eventually work itself out.
I really enjoyed writing these chapters of gender bent Merida and Hiccup and was wondering if anyone would be interested if I continued writing this AU as its own fanfiction.