Ch9 Does This Really Have To End?
Hiccup slowly and carefully walked into the river trying to make sure his metal leg didn't slip while Merida just strode in.
"Alright beast this is how it's done," Merida said as she stood still so the fish swam by. Making sure Toothless was watching she put her hands in the water and after a moment brought out a fish, making Toothless grin.
"Here," she said tossing it to Toothless who promptly swallowed it and made an expectant sound. Merida laughed and shook her head, "You have to catch some too."
Toothless let out an agreeing sound and tried to do what Merida had done but with his mouth.
"You to," Merida said pointing at Hiccup.
"Uh I don't know," Hiccup said not sure he could catch any while making sure his leg didn't slip.
"Here I'll show you," she said walking over to where Hiccup was. After showing him how to do it they both managed to catch a fish.
"Huh that was easier then I thought," Hiccup said not entirely sure what to do with the fish now but seeing Merida toss hers on the bank he followed suit. Toothless, being successful in his catches simply swallowed his catches.
They caught a few more fish, tossing them onto the bank, but when Merida caught one that put up a bit of fight it caused her to slip and fall into the river. She sat up coughing as Hiccup stifled a laugh. As she stood she heard Toothless let out a laugh as well.
"Oh think that's funny do ya? Well here!" she cried splashing both Hiccup and Toothless with water.
"Hey!" Hiccup shouted as Toothless splashed her back. She laughed and splashed them again, this time they both splashed her, then Toothless splashed Hiccup, and soon they were all splashing and running from each other. At one point Hiccup and Merida joined forces to splash Toothless who happily bounded after them, when they decided to spilt up Toothless followed Merida.
"Ach no! Don't follow me!" she cried splashing him, he let out a happy growl and splashed her back easily drenching her. The two of them went at it for awhile with Hiccup watching them. He was glad they got along so well, he wasn't sure why but he really liked being around Merida so if Toothless had a problem with her he wasn't sure if it'd be Astrid all over again or worse. After watching for awhile he decided he should come to her aid and quickly splashed Toothless who took off after him.
Merida pushed her wet hair out of her face and watched as Toothless went after Hiccup now. She giggled as Hiccup tried to splash Toothless back but Toothless obviously had the upper hand again, since his wings made bigger splashes which drenched Hiccup. As she watched them she thought how things had seemed to change for her with him there. Sure it hadn't been long and most things had stayed the same but now she had someone besides Angus to talk to, someone that didn't mind that she wasn't the "perfect princess". He liked her as she was, just as she wouldn't change him for the world. She liked how he viewed the world it was different then anyone she'd ever met before and she realized something now she hadn't before, she didn't want to think of him not being there. Naturally he'd return to Berk one day but would that be the last time she saw him? Would they still be friends when he left or would her parent's talk of war come to pass? She frowned silently cursing herself for getting so used to him being around so quickly. She got out of the river and sat down holding her bow as the water drops fell from her hair onto it. Hiccup noticed and, motioning to Toothless, went to join her.
"Merida, you ok?" he asked sitting down beside her, pulling his knees up to his chest to rest his head on them.
She didn't answer, just ran her thumb over the carving she'd made on her bow as she thought. It was a new bow but she'd made it look as close as her old one as she could. She laid the bow across her lap, its weight was comforting in troubled times, and then took a deep breath before she spoke, "I don't think we should meet anymore, Hiccup."
Hiccup looked at her; the confusion on his face painful to see, "What do you mean, Merida?"
"I don't think we can be friends anymore, ya daft boy," Merida said softly.
"But…" Hiccup looked over at his dragon, as if the beast could help him understand. Toothless only answered with the same confused look.
"I'm sorry. I really am, but…"
"But…I don't understand," Hiccup's voice was pained in its confusion.
Merida stood up and shook her head, quickly putting her bow over her shoulder while walking over to Angus and climbing on. She looked at him, the sun behind her catching in her hair; she looked like a woman on fire. "Dragons are attacking Scottish clans; they say it's you Vikings again since you know how to ride them. Don't you understand? Highlanders and Northmen just aren't meant ta be friends."
Not knowing what else to do and not about to let Hiccup see the tears that she felt were threatening to come out she gave Angus a quick kick sending them back to the castle. Hiccup stood there for awhile in shock, something else was wrong he just knew it.
"Come on bud," he said hopping on Toothless, "We're gonna follow them."
Toothless gave an agreeing growl and took to the sky.