Chapter Three

Back at the smithy, Gobber and Cedric were busy molding metal into weaponry. Merida and Hiccup strolled in, avoiding the cracked door that lay on the ground covered in dust. Artair was still missing from his previous tangent which left Cedric in a panicked frenzy and Gobber in utter annoyance. The two watched as Gobber chastised Cedric for bending the sword too far, and Cedric yelping as the heat burnt his finger. All in all, the place was like a giant metal trap ready to cause chaos.

Gobber looked up from his work, "Ah Hiccup, I see you met Merida from-"

Merida raised her hand, "No need, just Merida is fine."

The man sent her a bemused stare, "Well, whatever makes you happy I suppose."

He basically ignored Merida after that and turned his attention fully on Hiccup, "Now where were you? Artair came back in a raging fit when Stoick ransacked him with accusations."

Hiccup flushed bright red and shuffled on the spot awkwardly, "Well, I was taking Merida to the physician, but then the we went to the healer's instead."

Gobber gleamed, his eyes twinkled with mischief, "You hitting' it off already eh?"

A bright red blush cascaded across his face as he gulped. Merida face palmed herself in utter annoyance. Cedric tutted, but immediately zipped his mouth shut when Merida shot him a death glare. Hiccup sighed, reached out for his apron and tied it around himself before trudging off back to the private workshop at the back of the smithy. Gobber gave him a cheeky pat on the back and winked at Merida. The shudder that went down her spine indicated her intention to avoid Gobber from now on.

Outside, the laughter was impeccable. Music had started chiming and loud rants and monologues were reenacted in the most dramatic voice. Curiosity tickled Merida. She wondered whether Jack was still there with the feathered lady and she wanted to know if Jack remembered her from the night before. With Baby Tooth in her hands, Merida decided, screw patience.

Passing by the markets and small businesses along with the longing scent of breakfast, Merida heard her stomach grumble in protest. The well wasn't as crowded as it was in the morning, especially since the bantering grey haired man wasn't present. Neither was the feathered woman or Jack which disappointed Merida quite a bit. The moment Merida came out of the smithy, it was like the village silenced itself. The hustle bustle of the morning had died down and Merida was greeted with quiet smiles and waves.

One of the markets sold apples. They gleamed red and green, Merida reached out for one, only to be smacked by the old lady who sold them. She eyed Merida like a hawk as she walked away. One of the villagers took pity on her and handed her a carrot which he picked from his farm. Merida smiled gratefully and chowed down, getting carrot juices everywhere around her mouth. Whilst Merida took her last bite, Baby Tooth blinked as it woke from its trance, its wings automatically started buzzing. With a delighted smile, it hovered over Merida's palm, clapping vigorously.

"Aye that's it!" Merida cheered as Baby Tooth zoomed from her hand and around Merida's head.

Baby Tooth zipped off without looking back. Merida rushed after it, her hands gripping her long green dress she had worn yesterday as she sprinted. Dust puffed up behind her which left trail marks on the ground and a line of coughing passersby.

"Hey, wait!"

Merida halted in front of a simple wooden house that looked like cabin. Made by large logs, and an untidy thatched roof, it appeared fragile and unstable. The house was secluded from the rest of the village much like Gothel's tower, but unlike the tower, this house didn't stand out. Rather, it camouflaged into the tree trunks and was covered by decaying hedges. It appeared barren.

"Baby Tooth!" Merida called, her hand acting as a voice enhancer, "Baby Tooth?!"

The response was silence. A wash of dread came over Merida. Frantically, she dashed up to the front door of the house and banged loudly on it. When there was no reply, she diverted her attention to the window which had wooden planks nailed onto it. There was a large and deep crack long the knot of the wood. Peering in, Merida could make out a dark room with nothing but beds and a bar. It wasn't to say the house was small, it was rather big, so there were rows and rows of beds. All were neat and tidy and the bar bare. Inside the house, Merida spotted Baby Tooth hovering over the shelves behind the bar. It was dipping its fingers in some sort of jar. There was a door beside the bar that Merida hadn't noticed until a silhouette strolled in.

"What are you doing?"

Merida jumped up in shock, "What, nothing… Actually, I'm lookin' for a little bird the size of this… And it's in there!" Merida struggled to explain herself, her arms flailing around randomly, "It looks like…" she looked up, "A lot like you actually."

The feathered woman was standing in front of Merida in her full glory. Feathers shimmered like sapphires under the sun. There was a pair of insect-like wings attached to her back, and abnormally deep purple eyes stared back at Merida in question. The woman took off her head gear and a long albino hair fell to her shoulders. Feeling uncomfortable under interrogating eyes, Merida puffed up her chest.

"Give it back!" Merida demanded, trying to suppress the feeling of inferiority and awe due to the woman's beauty.

Eyes widened, the woman blinked, "Baby Tooth isn't yours."

"Wait, how do you know Baby Tooth?!"

"Because Baby Tooth's her's," a voice interrupted.

A faint buzzing stopped by Merida's ear as she realised Baby Tooth was perched on her shoulder. Slowly, Merida inhaled deeply as the drumming inside her wouldn't stop, and turned around to put the face to the voice.

Jack was leaning lazily against the old door frame, his arms crossed over his chest. A prominent smirk on his face and a raised eyebrow greeted Merida. He had the unusually shaped staff-like stick at the crook of his elbow which was sharp at the end. Barefoot covered in dirt and soil, Jack looked like he was out hunting. The woman coughed awkwardly and eyed Jack in objection.

His cheeky demeanor dropped, he strolled up to Merida, "Look, our services are at night," he paused, a sly grin stretched on his face, "Unless you want to do it now, I don't mind."

The woman groaned, "Jack!"

Jack laughed, "What? I'm only teasing her," he immediately turned to Merida with a mock serious face and whispers "Ignore Tooth, but seriously, come, midnight. I'll be there."

He winked before distancing himself from Merida who was about as red as her hair by then. Tooth rolled her eyes and sauntered past them and into the house. She left the door open, and Merida could see Tooth pulling out a couple of sheets of paper from the top shelf. Jack smiled at Merida and held his hand out, "I'm Jack."

Merida cast her eyes away, "I know."

Jack blinked, his eyebrows knitted together, "You do? Didn't know I was that popular."

Chuckling, Merida tried to avoid snorting out loud like she usually did when she laughed boisterously, "Haha aye, I'm Merida."

Recognition flashed in Jack's eyes, "You, you're the girl from the other night!"

Merida nodded, feeling tongue-tied. Jack was beaming like a lightbulb, he swiftly grabbed Merida's wrist and dragged her into the house. Yelping, Merida stumbled ungracefully over the bumps of the wooden floorboards. Baby Tooth went flying onto a metal part of the bed. Tooth gasped and rushed over to her kindred spirit and cupped it soothingly in her hands. Jack awkwardly rubbed the back of his head in apology, "Sorry, got a little carried away."

Trying to ease the awkward atmosphere, Jack hurriedly pulled out a poster from behind the shelf and opened it up fully. It was covered in finger marks and coloured paint that Merida couldn't make out the words O and N as the letters were smeared like splattered stains.

"I know it looks childish, but that's my artistic talent so...Welcome to Overland's Brothel!" he introduced in slightly too much enthusiasm.

He patted Tooth on the shoulder, "This is our top entertainer slash hostess in this village," he smiled proudly as Tooth brushed him off casually, but she was smiling from ear to ear as Jack praised her.

Quietly, she said, "Bunny might need help out at the markets. I don't want him starting a fight again."

Jack laughed, "Bunnymund? Not starting a fight? That's not possible."

Tooth glared at him playfully, "Well, he can try," she paused for effect before she turned sinister, "If he doesn't I swear those chickens he has… I'll kidnap every single one of them."

"Yeah, yeah, and he'll have no eggs and that will push him to the point where he'll lose hope in everything," Jack mimicked sarcastically, only to get a light punch on the face by Tooth.

Merida stood cluelessly as she witnessed the banter. She fiddled with the edges of her dress and grimaced at the sight of dried up mud and patches of dirt smeared all over the hems. She watched as Tooth pulled up her feathered costume, folded the sheets of paper and sauntered out to find Bunnymund. When the door closed with a light pat, Merida could hear loud thumping. Jack on the other hand was happy just to disarray the nicely organised jars and bottles lined up on the shelves.

Sitting on one of the beds closest to the bar, Merida swung her legs back and forth out of sheer habit. Jack glanced at her in question and returned to ransacking the shelf.

"Thanks for taking care of Baby Tooth for me," he murmured as he tried to multitask.

"No, it's okay. It kept me company," Merida said as politely as she could. In her head, she was even trying to recite her mother's constant lectures on princessly etiquette just so she didn't look silly in front of Jack. At that point, she stopped swinging her legs and straightened her back slightly. Little did she know, Jack was watching her from the corners of his eyes.

"What are you doing?" Jack smirked, stopping what he was doing and sat down on the bar.

"Nothing! I was just swinging my legs." Good one Merida, now I look stupid.

Forcing the negative thought from her mind, she crossed her legs and merely watched as Jack watched her. The silence between them was tense like the turbulence before a storm. There was a light mumble which Merida didn't pick up. She frowned and gave him a questioning glance. He licked his lips and shuffled on the bar as if trying to find a comfortable position.

He stared straight into her eyes, "I honestly think, you are the most attractive woman I've ever seen."

Seconds passed… Merida burst out laughing, she even started snorting, "You've got to be joking!" she wiped her the droplets of tears from her eyes, "We've only just met!"

Jack stared dumbfounded at Merida, "What? Aren't you flattered?!"

Merida shook her head, still shaky from her laughter, "You probably say that to everyone."

He frowned deeply and went silent. Merida's laughter died down as she realised that Jack was actually serious about what he had said. A deep blush gushed up to her neck and face. Everything inside her was screaming and quivering helplessly. Jack blinked as he watched Merida go wide eyed and he bloomed bright red too. They both looked like red berries in a mass of brown logs and branches. Baby Tooth even began giggling to itself despite trying to remain invisible.

"I-I have to go now," Merida hastily stood up and rushed to the door.

"Wait!" Jack quickly leaped after her, but she had already hurried off back to the main centre of the village. Only her muddy footsteps remained.

Before Jack, never ever in her life had Merida ever succumbed to the acts of cowardice. However, it seemed this time it was more appropriate to run than to confront. Feeling the mixture of the tingling sensation of butterflies and tar-like dread, Merida half ran half stumbled through the village. She tripped on the ends of her dress and tumbled face first into the dirt. Never ever in her life, had such emotions ever blurred her vision and pulled her to the very essence of timidness.

It was then, when Merida questioned what she was doing. What was she doing? When did she become so, so suppressed? Where had the old Merida gone? The one who spoke out loud, the one who demanded to marry when she was ready. The one who fought for what was fair and what was right. Yet, here she was, wallowing on the dirty ground in front of the people who didn't even know she was their princess. Uncertain of everything and everyone around her.

Her marriage to Mathias was still intact. The prince still believed she was locked away in the castle. So, these feelings she had for Jack was, although not unfathomable, it was delirious and considered dirty. Forcing every emotion back, Merida lifted herself up from the ground. A figure blocked the sun from her view and wrapped their arms around her waist, hoisting her up.

"Hey, what do ya think you're doing, mate?"

Merida laughed airily, "I don't know."

The grey haired man raised his eyebrow, "Well, she's certainly a goner this one."

In the distance, Merida saw a blur that was Hiccup limping out in panic, "Hiccup!" Merida beamed in a carefree manner as she waved her arms around.

Hiccup breathed heavily, "A-Are you okay? No great injuries? Oh my god, Artair's going to kill me."

"What do you mean- Oh," Merida inspected her angry, red wounded elbow and winced, "It's just a scratch."

"JUST A SCRATCH?!" Hiccup raged, dusting his hands on his apron, he grabbed Merida's hand and forcibly pulled her to the smithy.

The grey haired man merely watched in amusement and waved. He then returned to scowling at any onlookers from the crowd. As the crowd gathered in front of her, Merida saw a glimpse of Tooth's bright feathers among the mass of people as she soothed them and the grey-head who yelled alongside her like a guard dog. At that point, Merida was pulled too far away to see them anymore or to notice the head of white frantically calling out her name.

The castle was quiet. Annette was aimlessly collecting the dishes of King Gallach and his son, Mathias. Casual conversation was not something that was common in the Gallach family and Mathias was trying and failing to amuse his father with his jokes about the day's practice. The King was a private person, even towards his son. Behind a thin thatched veil which was hung from the ceiling, it separated the King from his followers. Hence, Mathias only ate with the presence of his father's shadow and silhouette.

"And do you know what he had said father?!" Mathias laughed wholeheartedly, "Father? Father, what's wrong?"

Gallach's gruff voice grumbled from behind the veil, "How's that young lass doing for ya?"

Mathias stopped breathing altogether, "Merida? She's fine. Why?"

There was a brief tense silence before Gallach tapped his fingers on the metal dining table, "You don't talk much about her that's why. That DunBroch's kid really that ugly that you can't even do her?"

Mathias choked on his food, "W-What?!"

"You said that your impudence can be overcome because you were in love with that brat. You haven't said a thing since her arrival a year ago."

"Mathias, we can't. I don't love you, you don't love me. This is only a marriage to protect our kingdoms. I know who you're really in love with."

"Well, it's because she's not ready," Mathias lied through his teeth, picking at his food as he avoided facing his father, "Besides she's only eighteen, there's still ti-"

"SILENCE!"

The roar echoed in the stony room. Mathias flinched, his lips quivered in fear.

Gallach leaned closer to the veil, "Did you at least take care of the mongrel?"

"It's a nice room… Mathias, what are you doing?! Mathias! You can't lock me up in here, I'm the kingdom's princess! You can't do this. MATHIAS!"

"Yes, I believe I did."

Hey there :). This one's not as slow paced as the previous chapters, but I thought that with Merida's personality and Jack's occupation, patience wasn't really their forte haha. So... flirting everywhere. The line "You are the most attractive woman I've ever seen" is actually from 'The Deep Blue Sea' by Terence Davies (watched it and thought, holy moley...), and I thought it was an awesome pickup line for Jack ;D. About Tooth, I've read in an article that albinos can have purple eyes, hence Tooth is now albino in 3COD.
*This was a M rated fic, but due to my awkwardness, and inability to write smut *giggles*, I decided to make it T rated instead.
Replies:
A Guest P: Thank you so much :). I didn't want to rush into it... but in this chap, it didn't want nothing to happen so... yeah lol.
Mewster7: Thanks :D. I'll keep going with this *fingers crossed*
Ingrid: You changed your name and confused the hell outta me man! Yeah, I really like Pitch and Gothel as a couple... It's just like they can cause chaos and destruction together.
Thank you for reading, reviewing and all that :). You guys give me hope :P