Ch8 Don't You Know How To Catch Fish?

As they rode around Merida pointed out a few things like the other targets she used to train with, the Crone's Tooth by the Fire Falls, and the Ring of Stones, which Angus walked around. They searched for Toothless as they went, unfortunately having no luck. Coming up on a river Merida stopped Angus for a rest.

"I don't know where he'd have gone," Hiccup said sitting down by the edge of the river.

"Don't worry, we'll find him. He can't be that far off," Merida assured him as she petted Angus while he drank from the river. Angus suddenly stopped and let out a warning neigh as Merida felt something push on her back.

"Ah, there ya are, ye great beast," Merida laughed as she turned around to find Toothless standing there. He butted his head against her abdomen as Angus neighed anxiously behind her, unhappy about the great predator being so close. "Ah, Angus, calm yerself. I'm ok," she petted Angus' nose to calm him.

Hiccup smiled as he walked over, "Wow. Toothless really likes you."

"Well, I like him too," Merida laughed, running her hands over Toothless' nose as well, "Don't forget ya said you'd take me flying again," she said giving Hiccup a stern look, as if she'd make sure he was sorry if he forgot, as she pet Toothless but the small smile on her face made the look seem less deadly.

"I remember," Hiccup smiled as Toothless nudged Merida again.

"What is it you great beast you?" she asked as he continued nudging her. Toothless let out a small growl and pointed his head toward the river where some fish were swimming.

"Oh, hungry are you?" she asked receiving another growl that seemed to say "yes".

"Toothless you can catch fish on your own," Hiccup said patting his friends back. He received a rather annoyed look from Toothless who at that went into the river.

Once in the river Toothless stood for a minute before trying, and failing, to catch some of the fish. Merida laughed and Hiccup shook his head as Toothless came back over to them.

"I guess he needs a wee bit of help," Merida said walking into the river herself.

"What are you doing?" Hiccup asked as he and Toothless looked at her slightly confused.

"Watch," she said, Angus promptly lied down on the bank of the river to watch though keeping one eye on Toothless just incase.

She took out an arrow and positioned it at a fish; she let it loose a moment later. When she brought it up it showed she'd speared the fish.

"Wow," Hiccup said obviously impressed, "That's amazing."

"Thank you," Merida said quite pleased with herself, "I am rather talented with my bow."

Hiccup chuckled and nodded as Toothless sniffed the fish. Toothless made a face like he wasn't sure about the fish and gave an unhappy growl.

"Come on," Merida said holding the fish to Toothless who moved his head away, "How do you know you won't like it if you've never tried it before?"

Toothless gave another unhappy growl, which to Merida sounded almost like a small child complaining about dinner.

She sighed, "Don't tell me I have to cook it for you."

Toothless made a happy sound causing Merida to sigh again.

"Toothless," Hiccup said sounding somewhere between embarrassed and strict.

"It's alright," Merida said setting the arrow and fish safely on a rock, "We'll just need some wood first."

"I'll help," Hiccup offered, "It's the least I can do since he's being so picky today."

"Well I certainly appreciated your help Viking," she said playfully.

"Glad to help Princess," he said chuckling at the face she made.

"I think I prefer you callin' me troll."

"How about Merida?"

"That's alright too."

Toothless gave a grin, obviously pleased with himself, and walked over to investigate Angus. Angus stared at the dragon with a questioning look and gave a small snort, which Toothless returned.

After gathering some wood Hiccup and Merida headed back to where Toothless and Angus were. They were glad to see their friends were getting along or at least they seemed to be talking to each other without hurting one another.

"Alright beast," Merida said starting to set up the fire pit, "We'll have your fish cooked in no time."

Hiccup watched Merida as he helped her set things up, she was so different then the people he knew at home. Sure he liked them but Merida was different to him, special.

"Ach I forgot we need some dry leaves to catch the spark," she said facepalming from her silly oversight.

"I'll get some," Hiccup said quickly getting up. Unfortunately when he turned around his desire to be quick caused him to trip and hit his head on a rock.

"Hiccup!" Merida cried rushing over to him with Toothless right behind her.

"Ow," Hiccup muttered rubbing his head.

"Are you alright?" she asked cradling his head and checking it for any signs of damage and gratefully finding only a small cut on his forehead.

"Yeah I'm ok," he said fully embarrassed by what had just happened. As he tried to get up Merida stopped him.

"Oh no ya don't," she said as she put her cloak around him, "You need to rest a minute."

"I'm fine Merida, honest," Hiccup said trying to sit up again, only to have Merida stop him once again.

"You're going to lay here and rest a bit even if I have to hold ya down, understand Viking?" Merida said giving him a stern look.

"Okay," he said trying his best not to blush. He wondered if Merida realized she was still holding his chin in one hand while her other was trying to keep the cloak on him by holding her hand against his chest.

"Good," she responded as she moved slightly so she could lay Hiccup down on Toothless who had been sitting behind them, "I'll be right back." With that she went only a few feet away and grabbed some leaves so she could start the fire.

Once she'd gotten the fire going she went and sat against Toothless, between the fire pit and Hiccup. Propping the fish up so it could cook she gently moved Hiccup's head onto her lap.

"Uh… Merida…" Hiccup began but was quickly cut off.

"I don't want to hear it Viking," she said watching the fish, "You need to rest and I don't think a hard surface is a good place for you to lay, no offence Toothless."

Toothless gave a sound that seemed to say "that's ok" as he watched both the fish and Hiccup, who was now a brilliant shade of red and trying to hide a smile. When the fish was done she took some meat off to taste it.

"Not bad," Merida said as she finished chewing, "What do you think?" She asked offering some to Hiccup.

He ate it and nodded, "Tastes fine to me."

"Alright then, here you go," she said tossing the fish to Toothless who ate it in maybe two bites. He looked at Merida expectantly.

"Oh no you don't ya beast," she said with a smile, "You want more, you catch 'em."

Toothless made a sad sound but Merida only shook her head and pointed to the river. With a defeated look on his face Toothless headed back into the river to try his luck but again not having much success.

"I think we should help him," Hiccup said sitting up.

"I didn't say you could move yet," Merida said giving him an unhappy look.

Hiccup only smiled. "I think I've rested long enough besides he could really use the help," he pointed at Toothless who was diving almost franticly at the fish, it was clear he was losing his patience.

"I suppose you're right, let's help the beast out," she said helping Hiccup up, she was going to keep an eye on him just in case but it seemed a better idea to make sure Toothless didn't burn anything down out of frustration.