Just to clear this up since so many of you are asking, this story is HICCSTRID!

I still don't know how I will develop the relationship beetween Hiccup and Merida but I prefer them as friends.

I really really hope the choice of pairing won't make you stop reading the story!

Here you have chapter 4, I hope you like it. Please review, it would mean so much to me!

-Clary Chase

The next morning the Vikings slept til late. Nobody woke them up because they had been sailing for two days and it was clear they all were exhausted.

Astrid was the first one to get up. She didn't recognize the room. She must had fallen asleep on the balcony the night before and someone probably had taken her to bed.

Maybe Hiccup.

On a chair she found a blue dress, not too fancy and very comfortable. There was a little note on it:

'Dear Miss Hofferson, we provided all of you of new clothes. I thought you would have needed clothes with a scottish style but still comfortable for everything you have to do. Hoping you like it, Princess Merida'

She clenched her jaw. Hiccup would have probably found a similar note.

The princess actually looked pretty kind, but whenever she looked at her, she was reminded of the fact it was her fault she would have never married Hiccup.

She slowly went downstairs.

She stopped at the entrance of the dining room.

There were voices coming from the inside.

"I thought they would be weirder", it was the queen's voice.

"Oh, come on, Elinor!" exclaimed king Fergus "You already knew Stoick! Did you expect his people to be savages with no respect of anything?"

"They're vikings" Elinor hissed, and there was a sharp hint in her voice "They're not known for their kindness"

Astrid could hear the king snort.

"Anyway" the queen continued "I have to admit they are really nice and polite so I'll-"

"Eavesdropping?"

She jumped and turned around, meeting Hiccup's amused grin.

"You scared me" she muttered "And I wasn't eavesdropping"

"Yes you were" he said.

He leaned in and kissed her cheek. When he took a step back she looked around to make sure to no one had seen them.

"Are they saying something bad about our charming demeanour?" Hiccup asked.

"No" she said and then added "I missed your arms around me tonight"

"And I missed your body snuggled against mine" he smiled sadly.

Just then they heard footsteps and turned to see their friends and Stoick coming down the stairs.

They knocked and entered the dining room.

Astrid was surprised to find the princess in there as well.

They bowed to the royals and took their seats.

Ruffnut pushed a plate full of foods in front of her and she grunted "I'm not that hungry"

The girl raised her brow "Eat" she commanded.

She rolled her eyes and watched Merida who was talking to Hiccup "Today I'll show you around the castle. If you have to live here you need to start knowing it"

Hiccup almost chocked on his food "L-live here?" he asked.

His sentence caught Stoick, Elinor and Fergus' attention who were standing in a corner talking.

Hiccup looked at his father "I won't be chief of Berk?"

Stoick pursed his lips "I don't think so, son"

He widened his eyes "Then who will?"

"Snotlout maybe"

Ruffnut's hand fell from the table. Astrid looked at Snotlout who had a puzzled expression "Way to know things" he said in a irritated tone.

Astrid was surprised: he had always wanted to be chief, and now that he had the chance he seemed disappointed.

She saw Hiccup clench his fists and knew he was restraining himself from yelling at his father.

"I'm not coming back to Berk" he said slowly.

Astrid's heart sank.

Elinor and Fergus just stood there, watching the scene.

"You'll be a king" was all Stoick said.

Hiccup let go of his fork "Well what if I-"

"Hiccup"

Astrid almost couldn't believe it was her who had called him. She was so used to stop his outbursts at his father that she forgot she was in Dunbroch and not in Berk. Her warning tone wasn't supposed to have any particular effect on him.

But it did.

Everyone looked at her. Hiccup bit his lip as his gaze fixed on hers. A silent conversation was held with just their eyes.

They both knew what that meant. After the wedding, the Vikings would have headed back to Berk to never see Dunbroch again.

She swallowed and looked away. Merida seemed to understand something was off because she stood up "Well, Hiccup" she said gently "Why don't we start exploring the castle?"

Hiccup nodded and offered her his arm, which she took esitantly after stealing a glance in Astrid's direction whose head was down.

They went out and silence fell in the dining room.

Hiccup and Merida walked in silence for a few good minutes.

When she was quite sure he wouldn't yell at her, she said "Miss Hofferson seems very used to calm you down"

For a split second she watched his green eyes widen and a slight blush spread on his freckled cheeks. But it was all so quick that she almost thought she had imagined it.

"We know each other since we were kids" he explained.

She just nodded. She was sure there was more to their relationship.

She had noticed the stolen glances beetween the two of them. The way she would always follow his moves and how he would brush almost casually his hands to hers whenever they were close enough.

Merida couldn't help but wonder... what if they were together? Had she spoiled their love story?

She shook her head trying to push those thoughts aside.

"So... she knows you well" she concluded.

He nodded, but still didn't meet her gaze "Yeah. She does know me well"

The conversation died there.

Stank!

The axe dug deep in the target.

Astrid ran to pick it up and threw it in the air. She swung it in every direction and threw it again. It sank in the straw target once again, right in the middle.

"You're really good"

She turned. Stoick and queen Elinor were standing just a few feet away from her.

She bowed, trying not to glare at the woman who was probably the main reason of the arranged marriage. She seemed to have way more power than her husband."Your highness"

"She's my best shieldmaiden" Stoick said proudly.

She flinched a bit at the word but the queen didn't seem to notice.

"A pretty woman like you wouldn't be fighting here in Dunbroch" Elinor said gently.

She pursed her lips "Fighting for my land is my life, my queen, whether I'm pretty or not" she observed.

The queen smiled "I see. You're a brave woman"

She didn't know what to say and she was thankfuk when one of the guards came rushing.

"My queen, there is... something approaching Dunbroch" he said breathlessly.

The queen frowned and motioned for the two Vikings to follow her.

When they reached the front garden of the castle the others were already there.

Hiccup was with Merida. He glanced quickly at Astrid and smiled a bit.

"What is it?" Elinor asked putting her hand on her husband's arm.

He shrugged "I don't know, dear"

Astrid looked better.

"Wait" Hiccup said. He pointed to the sky and narrowed his eyes "But those are..."

"Toothless and Stormfly!" Astrid exclaimed excitedly. She let her axe fall to the ground and rushed forward as the two dragons landed on the field, Hiccup running behind her.

The dragons ran to their owners and Astrid found herself lifted off the ground and onto Stormfly's back.

"Hey girl!" she laughed hugging her "I'm so happy to see you!"

Just beside them Hiccup was wrestling his Night Fury.

She laughed at the sight, forgetting for a moment where they were.

Her laugh caught Toothless' attention who let go his rider to ease her up from Stormfly.

"Toothless wait!"

She found herself on the ground, Toothless nudging her affectionally. She sat up with a chuckle and scratched his chin.

"Hey there girl" Hiccup said caressing Stormfly's snot.

Astrid stood up and smiled "Why are they here so early?" she asked.

Hiccup held out a note "It was in the saddle" he said.

They opened it and Hiccup peaked from Astrid's shoulder to read:

'They couldn't wait to see you two so I let them go. We'll be there in a day, Gobber'

They both smiled.

"You were eager to see us?" Hiccup said with a laugh scratching his dragon's ears.

Toothless gave him a gummy smile.

They turned to see the others approaching.

"Hey guys!" Stoick exclaimed stroking the dragons' backs affectionally. The two let the other vikings caress them and made their usual noises of affection.

Hiccup beckoned Merida over "Come here" he said softly "Let me show you"

Astrid clenched her fists. That was the line he had used with her before her first ride on Toothless.

"Don't worry" he reassured as Merida approached slowly "He's not gonna hurt you"

The queen had a worried expression while the king's eyes were sparkling.

Hiccup took her hand and placed it on Toothless. The dragon seemed uneasy.

For a moment his dark eyes flickered to Astrid.

His teeth came out and he shrugged the princess' hand away. Merida backed away with a start, her blue eyes wide.

"Toothless, what's wrong with you, bud?" Hiccup asked with a frown.

Toothless just made a disappointed sound and hid under Astrid's arm who had been watching surprised.

"Hey" she said blushing furiously.

Hiccup's eyes widened. He took Merida's hand once again and laced his fingers with hers. Stormfly's thorns stood up on her tail at the sight and everyone flinched.

"Buddy" Hiccup began "This is Merida. She's my fiancee. My future wife"

Toothless' reptile eyes became thin lines like when he was angry.

He touched their interwined hands with a hiss and separated them.

"Hiccup what-" Merida began but the Night Fury took his owner's vest beetween his teeth and literally threw him onto Astrid. The two of them stumbled on the grass with a yelp and they blushed even more if that was possible.

Hiccup stood and helped her up. His hand was warm and it made her skin tingle.

He turned towards his dragon with an angry expression "I don't know what's up with you but this needs to stop. Merida and I will get married"

The dragons' eyes became sad. Stormfly dropped her big head on Astrid's shoulder and whined.

Hiccup straightened himself and glanced quickly at his father who gave him an encouraging look.

"I'm sorry, Merida, your majesties. They're just not used to be around strangers" he said with a polite tone. He seemed embarassed.

"It's okay, boy!" Fergus exclaimed with a smile "Just make sure he doesn't chop our daughter's hand!"

The queen had a horrified expression "Fergus!"

"Just kidding, dear!"

Elinor swallowed "Well, Stoick, why don't you help them take the dragons to the stables I've showed you?"

Stoick nodded "Of course, Elinor"

Hiccup kissed Merida's hand which made Toothless growl then he and Astrid turned and walked away with their dragons, followed closely by Stoick.

When they were out of sight the chief said "You have to keep him in line, Hiccup"

"I know" he said in a dark tone.

Astrid looked down, occasionaly patting Stormfly's neck.

"Here we are"

The stables were big, the other dragons would have fit perfectly.

Stoick fidgeted for a moment "I'll leave you two alone, don't take too long"

They thanked him and he walked away.

Astrid dropped on the straw and leaned her back on Toothless who placed his head in her lap. She stroked him absentmindedly.

Hiccup plopped down and started to caress Stormfly's spines that were still erected.

Merida peeped from the corner.

Astrid looked tired as she stroked Hiccup's dragon's head. He was caressing the thorns on her dragon's tail.

The picture was so casual and simple, it seemed like they had done it so many times.

"Wonderful day" Astrid muttered.

Hiccup sighed "I know" then he frowned "Come on, Stormfly! There's no danger! Keep the thorns down, girl"

The dragon growled and did as she was told. Hiccup smiled and placed a kiss on her scaly skin "Good, girl"

Astrid scowled "We manage to keep it a secret and then our dragons come along and screw everything"

Toothless hissed a bit.

"It's not their fault, Astrid" Hiccup said gently "We never told them anything. They're still convinced WE are getting married"

His words hit her and Merida stumbled a bit.

'Get married'?

So they really were engaged!

Guilt overwhelmed her as she watched Astrid purs her lips and look away with a pained expression.

Sure it wasn't her fault -she didn't even want to get married!- but she still felt guilty for breaking them apart.

"They better get used to the idea" the Viking girl said "Toothless won't even come back to Berk"

Hiccup bit his lip "Yeah right" he grunted.

"Aren't you happy?" Astrid asked "King of Dunbroch! Isn't that what you've always wanted?"

Hiccup's eyes darkened "King. How in Thor's name am I supposed to do that?"

Astrid smiled softly and walked to him, making Toothless groan for the sudden lack of caresses.

"You'll be a great king" she said taking his face in her hands tenderly.

Merida was almost on the verge of going away but she wanted to hear what they had to say.

Hiccup smiled sadly "I kind of feel like I've already lived this situation but with the word 'chief'"

Astrid chuckled "Yeah. And the rest was something like 'I'll be there to help you with everything as your wife'"

He sighed and placed his head in the crook of her neck "I will miss you so much"

Her fingers gripped the back of his vest "I will miss you too"

He looked at her "I suppose you'll get married to someone else" he said.

She shrugged "I guess so. My parents won't let me be a shieldmaiden forever. They will want grandchildren"

His expression hardened "Thinking of you with another man is like a knife in my chest"

She puckered her lip "Same here. Do you even imagine how frustrating it is to see you with her? Everytime I think I might explode"

Hiccup's heart sank at her words. He held her closer "I'm sorry you have to put up with this everyday"

Astrid didn't say anything so he leaned in and kissed her neck. She shivered.

"Hic... we shouldn't" she breathed in his ear "Someone could see us"

He just caressed her soft skin with his lips. Her content sighs made him pull her even closer and when he left her neck he captured her lips.

Astrid seemed unsure at first but then she dug her slender fingers in his hair to pull him to her, responding eagerly. The kiss was passionate and also a little bit desperate.

She was the one to break the spell. Her lips were red and swollen "Just promise me one thing" she said.

He touched her nose with his "Everything, milady"

She closed her eyes at the sound of the nickname he had started to use so many years before.

"Even if you will marry the princess and I will have to go back to Berk, please don't ever forget me. That's all I'm asking for"

"I could never forget you" he said with a broken voice "I will never stop loving you no matter the distance, let alone forget you. Just because we can't be together it doesn't mean we cannot love each other, Astrid"

Her eyes were clouded by tears and she blinked to forbid them to escape.

"I love you, Hic"

"I love you too"
With a heavy sigh she stood up. She pointed an accusatory finger at the dragons "You two better get used to the idea Hic and I are not getting married anymore"

This made them produce guttural noises.

"It will take time, Astrid"

She shrugged "Stubborn" she muttered. Toothless licked her skirt "Toothless!" she shrieked "You damn Night Fury!"

The dragon smiled at her and she shook her head with a smirk.

Just then they heard a noise and they all turned to see Merida standing there.

For a moment Hiccup feared she might have seen them together but her expression said otherwise.

"Hi" she said almost timidly "Can I please talk to you, Hiccup?"

Astrid fidgeted "Uh... I'll go" she said "Your highness. Hic. Sleep well, guys" with one last kiss on Stormfly's head and a scratch under Toothless' chin the girl turned and walked away.

Hiccup smiled awkwardly as Merida sat beside him. Toothless hissed, showing his teeth.

"Sorry" Hiccup said "He's not usually like this. I don't know what's wrong with him"

Merida raised an eyebrow "I think I do"

He widened his eyes "Y-you do?"

The corners of her lips curled up "I've seen you and Astrid"

His breath caught "You w-wha... s-sorry...?"

Merida laughed rendering him speechless.

Then out of her mouth came words he would have never expected "It's okay, Hiccup"

"M-Merida what are you-?"

She placed a hand on his mouth and he blushed. He was not used to having girls that weren't Astrid so close.

"Now you'll listen to me" she ordered.

He nodded as she removed her hand.

"Look" she began "Don't take it personally but I don't want to marry you. Okay I mean... that came out wrong. I don't want to get married at all"

"Uhm.. ookay"

She laughed at his surprised expression and she told him the story of what had happened four years before.

He was shocked.

"My mother said I've had time to find an husband" Merida continued "but seeing as I couldn't find one, now I have to marry you. She said the peace treat with your tribe is a perfect excuse"

She sighed "It's not like I didn't look for someone. It's just... nobody seems to understand my need of freedom"

Hiccup stared at the walls of the stables "So... you don't want to... marry me?"

"If you're trying to find a connection beetween my choices and yours and Astrid's missed wedding then... there's none"

He looked in her intense blue eyes and he could see she was sincere.

"I'm sorry this ruined your lives"

He swallowed "It's not... your fault, Merida"

"It is, indirectly" she muttered.

He looked down at her: her red eyebrows were knitted together. She had her chin on her hand and her look was lost.

He didn't know much about this girl. Despite her royal family she seemed pretty tough and brave. She kinda reminded him of Astrid, strong and independant.

He nudged her "Hey, I'm serious"

She looked up and he smiled at her sadly. She returned his smile.

"We're pretty messed up, uh?" she joked.

"Yeah. You could say that"

This is it, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Let's see how reviews I can get before the next update ;)

-Clary Chase