I've said it before and I'll say it again. I wasn't expecting this story to get much traction, but you all have made it one of my most popular stories. I'm so glad that you all enjoy my writing so much, it makes me feel like I've made the right decision for my field of studies and my eventual occupation. I love reading your reviews, good or bad, it helps me grow as a writer. I'm so indebted to everyone who reads my stories by helping me to figure out what my strengths and weaknesses as a writer is.

"Boys, it's time to come in." Merida called marching through her back door, "You've got homework," She spotted them in the corner of the yard, huddled together. "What are you doing?" She approached trying to see around their bushy hair. They kept jostling each other blocking her view.
"Alright, let me through," She picked up Harris and Hamish by the back's of their shirts to reveal a black cat crouched in the corner, hissing at the boys.
"Where'd the cat come from?" She asked, narrowing her eyes at the boys. They shrugged in unison. She sighed and dropped the two next to Hubert. "Get inside and get started on your homework,"
"But," Harris pointed to the cat.
"I'll take care of it, now get going. You don't want mom to come get do you,"
The triplets tripped over each other in their dash to house. Merida knelt slowly. The cat was still hissing, it's hair standing up.
"It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you," She said gently holding out her. She got three inches away from it before it cried and swiped at her. "Okay, okay," She drew her hands back, "I'm only trying to help you. I'm sorry if my brothers hurt you. They mean well, but they don't get the concept of playing nice,"

It was still looking at her with venom in its yellow-green eyes. "What do want from me? If you don't let me help you we've never going to anywhere,"
It hissed again and she sighed. "Hold on," She got to her feet, "Stay right there,"
Suddenly she wanted to kick herself because she was talking to cat like it could understand her. Great, she was home talking to lost cat when any other time she'd be with friends. Just bloody great. She sighed again as she walked into the kitchen. Her mother had just returned from the store and was packing away the groceries.
"Hello dear,"
"Hi mom," She opened a cabinet standing on her toes to see the top shelf.
"While you're in there, mind putting these away?" Her mom passed a box of cookies for her.
"Do we have any fish?" Merida said placing the cereal on the shelf out of the boy's reach, but she knew they'd find a way to get it.
"Fish?" Her mother looked at her curiously.
"Yeah, like in a can or anything?"
"I bought some salmon, but what do want it for?"
"There's a cat in our yard. It keeps hissing at me so I figured a peace offering might make it stop,"
"It wasn't something the boys brought home, is it?"
Merida shook her head, "I don't think so. They looked like they found it in the yard…ah-ha!" She exclaimed in triumph pulling a can from one of the grocery bags.
"What are you going to do with it?"
"See if I can read the tag. Maybe it belongs to someone nearby,"
"Alright, but be careful,"
"It's a cat mom, not a bear," Merida said with a chuckle. Her mother gave an amused snort and continued putting away the groceries.

"Alright you little beastie," Merida said walking back the cat, "This should convince you I just want to help," The cat, which a moment ago was knocking around a bit of snow as suddenly alert again, looking at her with weary eyes. She opened the can using the pop-able lid and placed in-between them. The cat's gaze flickered from Merida to the can. Slowly, it approached the fish, sniffing curiously. It took one bite and then another. Merida knelt waiting for it finish. It ate about two thirds of the fish before it lifted its head. It meowed at her padding forward and rubbing against her calf. She scratched under its chin making it purr. That's went she noticed the red leather band around its neck.

"Wait a second I know you," She picked up the cat by the scruff of his neck. "What are you doing here?" She asked, as thought she expected it to answer. It meowed at her in an innocent manner.
"Let's go," She settled the feline into the curve of her arm and strolled back inside.
"Mom, I figured out where the cat's from," She called out making her way to the front room. She grabbed a scarf and jacket, "I may be a little while,"
The cats seemed perfectly content in her arms as she walked two streets over. She strode up a driveway and banged on the front door. It swung open almost instantly.

"Merida, what a pleasant surprise," Hiccup's voice told her that he wasn't surprised at all.
"Why was your cat in my yard?" She held out the Bombay. Hiccup blinked taking the cat.
"Was he?" Hiccup tried feigning surprise. "I'm so sorry. I didn't even know he was gone," He glared at the feline, "Toothless, what were you thinking bud? Going out in this weather,"
Toothless screeched at him.
"Don't give me that. What would have happened if Merida hadn't found you?"
The feline hissed at Hiccup and wiggled out of his hands, landing lightly on his feet and padding into the house, head held high.
"I really owe you one," Hiccup said turning his attention back the red head. "How about some cake to say thank you? My mom just made some,"
"What's going on Haddock?" Merida crossed her arm.
"Nothing's going on. Can't a guy say thank you to the person who saved his cat?"
"Fine," Merida said with a shrug, "If your cat ending up in my yard was nothing more than a coincidence then I'll be going now,"
"Wait, don't you want any cake?" Hiccup said gesturing inside.
"No, thank you," Merida turned around sharply walking down the driveway.
"But, hold on…" Hiccup stumbled after her, "It's still warm,"
"That's okay,"
"Wait," He caught her by the arm. She stopped and looked at him. He took a breath.
"Okay, I'll admit it. I placed Toothless in your yard,"
Merida stared at him, "Why?"
"Do I really need a reason to want to…oh!" Merida punched him in the gut hard before he could finish.
"Not a good time to be making jokes Haddock,"
"I got that…" Hiccup doubled over in pain, his voice wheezy, "That's the last time I try to make you smile,"

Merida's only glared at him.
"I wanted the chance to talk to you," He straighten up.
"About what?"
"Your friend Elsa,"
"That's it," Merida grabbed him by the collar and dragged him towards the sidewalk.
"Where are we going?" He asked.
"Elsa's," She said sharply.
"What?!Why? Wait, Merida. Could you not grip so tightly. And do you expect to walk there?"
"You have another suggestion?"
"We could take the nightfury,"
"The what?"
"My bike," He gestured to the garage were a black cycle stood.
"You named your…you know what, I don't care. Let's just go,"
"But, I'm confused, why are we going? I just want to talk,"
"And we can talk when we get there,"
"Yeah, but,"
"Get on the bike Haddock,"
"Alright, alright!" He picked up a helmet and threw it at her.
"I'm guessing you don't worry about helmet hair, with that mane of yours,"
She hit him again, "I told you not to make jokes,"
"Right," He wheezed, putting on the other helmet. He got on the bike, kick starting it. Merida got on behind him, holding onto the back of his jacket.

"I've got snacks," Anna announced walking into the bedroom. Elsa and Rapunzel (who was over to do a lab with Elsa) looked up.
"Thanks Ann," Elsa said taking the plate from her sister lifting two pieces of chocolate from it before passing it to Rapunzel. Anna picked up Elsa's book turning upside down trying to decipher the diagram.
"So this is what I'm in store for me next year?"
"Mmh," Elsa nodded.
"Hopeful I'll know enough to make heads or tails of it by then,"
"Don't get too hopefully. We're supposed to be able to make heads or tails of it right now, but I'm not even sure why we need half this stuff," Rapunzel said looking at the required materials list in her notebook.
"If you don't know what's going on then we're screwed. Those are the notes I missed,"
"It's not my fault you were doodling. In case you've forgotten I normally rely on you to tell me what's going on in chem."
"Since when do you doodle in class?" Anna asked.
"Ahh…"

The sound of an engine put the girls' conversation on hold.
"That sounds like it's out front," Anna said moving to the window. She pulled the curtain back to see a motorcycle pull up into their yard.
"Who do we know with a bike?" She asked.
"Doesn't Jim have one?" Elsa said.
"Yeah, but he doesn't know where we live. I don't think he does,"
"Wait, the person on the back is Merida," Rapunzel said standing next to Anna.
"What?" The sister's exclaimed. Elsa tripped over her books in her rush to the window.

They saw it was the red head as she took off her helmet. Merida grabbed the other person by the back of his jacket, pulling him away from the bike before he could take off his own helmet. They could hear his muffled cries from inside.
"We should get the door," Anna said. The trio headed into the foyer. Merida was pounding on the door before they got there.
Anna opened the door and the boy was pushed inside Merida following right after. She locked her gaze with Elsa.
"You seriously tried to make him with me?" She said.
"What?" Elsa blinked in confusion. "No I didn't. I don't even know who this is,"
"Then why else would he want to talk about you,"
"I'm not even sure what's going on here," Elsa said.
"She didn't ask me Merida," Hiccup said taking off his helmet
"Whoa! Whoa!" Anna said loudly, waving her arms, "Rewind. What are you doing here?" She said to Merida, "And who are you?"
"I'm Hiccup,"
"You're that boy who's neighbours with Merida, who goes to DreamWorks."
"That's me,"
"And he went through an elaborate plan to try and get me to talk to him, for you." Merida said to Elsa.
"It wasn't that elaborate," Hiccup said, "I just dropped my cat into your yard,"
"You could have just knocked on my door,"
"And you would have slammed it in my face,"
"For good reason," Merida snapped.
"This is why I didn't want to do this. You're impossible to reason with," Hiccup throwing up his hands in frustration.

"Is everything all right?" Anna and Elsa's mom walking in. "Oh, hello Merida, I haven't seen you around in a while and…I'm sorry I don't believe we've met," She said to Hiccup. She realised everyone was staring at her, "…I just walked in on something, didn't I?"
"Just some school stuff mom," Anna said.
"Okay," Their mother sensed she should bow out, "If you guys need me just call,"

"Maybe we should take this meet and greet upstairs," Rapunzel suggested
"Fine," Merida said heading to the steps.
"Wait, I'm not so sure…" Hiccup started but Merida dragged him after her.
"You're the reason we're here in the first place."
"You were the one who ordered me to come," Hiccup yelled. Merida just dragged him into the sister's room and pushed him down in one of the computer chairs. She turned to Elsa as the girl walked in.
"Are you really stupid enough to send a moony to talk with me? You couldn't muster up the courage to talk to me yourself,"
"I didn't send him," Elsa said, "I'd never met him before today. And in case you'd forgotten I've tried talking to you several times,"
"If you didn't ask him to talk to me…"
"Merida," Hiccup cut her off, "Elsa didn't ask me. This really is the first time we're meeting. Jack was the one who asked me talk to you,"
"Well that's worst then," Merida folding her arms.
"Jack asked you to do that?" Elsa asked the boy.
"I wouldn't call it asking…more like black mail, but that's not important," He stood, "Merida, are you seriously going to throw away one of your closest friendships because of the rivalry."
"Don't talk like you know me just because we used to play together when we were kids,"
"I'm not going to pretend that we are friends. We aren't friends, because of the rivalry. The rivalry says we shouldn't be friends, but it doesn't say you can't be friends with Elsa. Jack told me that Elsa really cares about you and you not talking to her has really upset her,"

"What would he know?"
"Merida, you have barely talked to us," Rapunzel said, "And you haven't talked to Elsa at all."
"Yeah, because she obviously doesn't want to talk."
"Merida, that's ridiculous. Of course I want to talk to you. I've tried talking to you."
"No, you've tried to get me to forgive you,"
"What do you want from me? I've tried apologising."
"You still don't get it do you?"
"What? What don't I get?"
Merida let out a frustrated cry and stormed from the room.
"Merida!" Elsa went after her.

The three remaining teens in the room looked at each other awkwardly.
"Ahh, so…sorry about this," Hiccup said shuffling his feet.
"It's okay. We know Merida can be…difficult at times,"
"Understatement of the year," Hiccup said.
"I'm Anna, by the way, Elsa's sister."
"Rapunzel," Rapunzel introduced herself.
"It's to meet you, I guess. You know if you put the weirdness aside," They glanced between each other again, shifting from one foot to the other. Yeah…it was weird.

"Merida!" Elsa followed the girl outside catching her by the arm on the sidewalk. "I'm not just going to let you walk away again."
"Why do you even care if we're talking or not?"
"What kind of crazy question is that? Why wouldn't I care? You're my best friend."
"Really? Because the way I know it, best friends don't keep secrets from each other," Merida pulled out of Elsa grasp.

"Wait…is that why you're mad…because I didn't tell you?" The realisation hit her like a tonne of bricks.
"I'm mad because you're dating a stupid moony,"
"Merida, best friends don't keep secrets from each other," Elsa said, sensing what Merida said wasn't the whole truth.
"No. You don't get to throw my words back at me." Merida tried to turn away but Elsa stopped her.
"Merida, please…talk to me,"
"I don't want to talk you. You don't care enough to talk to me,"
"I'll admit I could have tried harder to make up with you…but I'm trying now. I'm trying but you have to meet me halfway."
Merida bit her lip, not meeting Elsa's eyes.
"I…I don't think you should be going out with Jack. It's stupid and looking for trouble."
"You're right,"
Surprise flashed across Merida's face, "I'm right?"
"Yes, you are. I've been worried about it since the moment Jack Frost showed up at my door."
"And yet you still started to see him,"
"Jack…he has an unusual effect on me. There is a magnetism to him that I can't seem to escape. I know it's stupid and reckless, and if anyone finds out the repercussions aren't going to affect just me, it's going to effect all my friends and that scares me. And I'm sure he's cautious about it too. But as much it scares me, I don't want something like a rivalry to get between what is turning into a rather amazing relationship. And I don't want it to become us either. I should have told, not matter how angry you would have been. The truth is I wanted to tell you, very badly. I wanted to talk to you about it. But I was scared and selfish and I shouldn't have done that to you. "
"You really feel about him that strongly?"
Elsa nodded.
Merida sighed, "Damn it Elsa." She looked up at the other girl, "I don't want to accept that…but I can be stubborn and stupid too. And I have been extremely stupid and stubborn."
"Yeah, you have,"
Merida hit her in the shoulder, "I'm trying to be heartfelt here,"
"I'm sorry," Elsa tried not to smile, "I'm sorry."
"I'm still mad at you," Merida said.
"And you have every right to be,"
"And you can't see Jack again."
"Wait a second…"
"Until you get Punzie's and mine's seal of approval. It's like our one rule and you've been breaking it,"
Elsa found herself laughing. "I can't deny that," She smiled, "So are we okay?"
"No…but we will be, I'm still going to need time to get over this,"
"I get that. And I don't mind as long as I get my best friend back. I've missed you,"
"I've missed you too." Merida hugged Elsa and the blonde was so happy so almost cried.

"But I will never get what you see in Jack Frost,"
"Don't you think you should reserve that kind of option until you meet him?"
"What do you see in that pretty boy?"
"You mean other than the fact he's pretty," Merida elbowed her, "I can't really describe it with words…there's just something about him, you know?"
"No, I don't know. But I do know you Elsa, and if there's something you like about him then I guess I could keep an open mind, for your sake."
"Thank you," Elsa put her hands around Merida's shoulder, "That means a lot to me,"

They went back inside walking into Elsa's room. The others jumped up when they came in.
"Do we have to hold auditions to fill the fourth position of our quartet?" Rapunzel asked.
"You think you'd get rid of me that easily," Merida said. Anna squealed and jumped forward hugging Elsa and Merida.
"I guess I have to thank you," Elsa looking at Hiccup.
"Not really. I don't even think I did anything really,"
"Not true. You made Mer mad enough to come over here and yell at me,"
"Anyone could have done that," Hiccup said.
"I'm still mad enough to through someone Haddock," Merida said.
"Well I should go." Hiccup said suddenly very eager to leave. "Do I have to give you a ride home?"
"I could give you drop when I'm heading home," Rapunzel said to Merida.
"Besides, they need help with their Chem," said Anna
"You'd you normally figure everything out?" Merida asked Elsa.
"She didn't get the notes," said Rapunzel.
"How come?"
"It's a bit of a story," Elsa said with a blush.
"So I'm just going to leave you ladies to do…whatever," He said heading from the room. The girls followed after him.
"Merida, I am glad I could help…even if I'm not entirely sure what I did." He opened the door and a shocked Jack Frost frozen with his hand suspended in the air.

"Jack?" Elsa's (as did everyone else's) eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Uh…What's going on?" Jack asked looking between Elsa and Hiccup.
"What are you doing here?"
"He texted me saying he was in at your place and he needed back backup,"
The girls looked at Hiccup.
"I was in a room with four auguring girls. I was scared," Hiccup defened.
"Frost," Merida pushed past Hiccup.
"You aren't going to hurt me, are you?" Jack said holding up his hands defensively.
"Only if you hurt Elsa,"
"What?"
"You heard me. You'd better take good care of her, because if you don't you'll have to deal with me,"
"I'm confused,"
Elsa laughed and moved next to Merida, "I've got my best friend back,"

Nardragon~ until the next page.