As he sat swirling the pale golden mead in his goblet, Hiccup remembered wishing and waiting for the time to arrive in DunBroch seemed to take forever, and yet the time to leave arrived in the blink of an eye.
It was final day of the festivities. As well as Hiccup, the other three clans were returning to their homes as well when the sun next rose.
The stone hall was once again filled with music, laughter and the echo of a hundred conversations. Candles gave a dancing warm glow to the hall that was filled with merry men and women. The sweet flavoured mead and wine flowed in every goblet. As fast as the last drop was drunk, it was full again.
Hiccup fidgeted nervously in his seat, but it didn't go unnoticed.
"Hiccup will ya stop fidgetin'! Ya makin' me nervous!" Merida whispered through gritted teeth between a forced smile.
The DunBroch family and the Young Viking were on show once again at the Head Table. Although the three clans and the rest of the court were paying them no need, Merida remembered her mother's scolding words that a princess must always present a smile when in view of her court and kingdom.
"Sorry Merida, I er didn't know I was fidgeting so much." Hiccup mumbled back. He tried but couldn't stop his fingers twitching and jerking nervously, the full goblet in his hand faintly shaking.
"Wha's tha matta wit you anyway? Ye feelin' alright?" Merida asked turning to face him properly, her brow furrowed with worry.
"Yeah yeah I'm fine. I think maybe it's the mead. I probably had enough for the night." Hiccup forced a smile on his face but it didn't stop Merida's bright blue eyes lingering over him in concern. His head did feel light and his mouth was full of the sweet honey taste but he only felt nauseous.
Hiccup tried to avoid her eyes as he watched the dance once again in front of him. The musicians were once again playing an upbeat tune that as usual, everyone knew the dance steps to. As the women skipped in one circular direction, their colourful Celtic patterned skirts held in their hands, the men skipped in the other, they arms behind their backs but never taking their eyes of their partners.
Hiccup's stomach knotted and twisted and turned. Tiny beads of sweat clung to his dark auburn hair and he could feel his heart thumping in his chest. He felt as though every eye was on him, judging him, waiting in anticipation. He repeated a phrase over and over in his head as though it was on a wheel. He needed to keep calm but it was useless. He was making a fool of himself, sat there restless. It can't be this hard he thought. For Odin's sake, I'm a dragon rider! It's now or never.
He could still feel Merida's intense eyes on him but as if a sent from the Gods, a tall dark curly haired man approached the couple as he had once before and interrupted them.
"Mah princess, as it is our lest night, may Ah 'av th' pleasure ay ye joinin' me in a dance once moore?" Young Macintosh asked politely as he bowed in respect.
"Erm Ah think Ah betta not this time Mah Lord," Merida mumbled as she still looked at Hiccup with concern, "Ah think Ah bettah stay wi Hiccup."
"No, no don't worry about me. Go, it's only a dance." Hiccup said smiling his crooked smile he knew Merida liked so much.
Young Macintosh's head glanced from the princess to the Viking and back again. Merida hesitated a moment before showing a smile and taking Young Macintoshes outstretched hand and was once again lead the dance area. The song had reached an end and the dancers made way for the lord and princess, bowing their heads as they passed to reach the centre. Merida took her place beside the line ladies to the right and Macintosh faced her to the left with the men. Merida was surprised to notice Young MacGuffin and Wee Dingwall in line as well, both stone faced with focus.
The fiddles and flutes joined together and the music soon filled the room. The men and women skipped to each other and danced in a circle, their eyes supposed to be locked at their partners. But Merida took her opportunity to glance at the Head Table to see Hiccup still sat in his chair, his dark green eyes on her. Her mother and father were seated one chair away from her but they were deep in conversation.
Merida smiled weakly as she had to continue skipping in a circle around Young Macintosh and she spotted Hiccup smile in return.
Merida felt the young Lords cool, calm hands hold hers and hold them in the air as they danced close, then away then close again. Merida could feel his breath on her face and she was glad for the part when they had to dance in a group of four. Merida's head spun, her flaming red curls revealing Young MacGuffin in their group with a lady from her court she recognised but did not know. He smiled at her as she held his left hand and Young Macintoshes right hand. They danced in a circle, the ladies jumped one step closer then one step back. The group of four broke off and Merida once again was facing Young Macintosh. As he clapped the air, Merida skipped around her, holding her dark blue dress in her hands, she glanced up at the Head Table. Her parents were still there.
Hiccup wasn't.
Her head spun from left to right as she tried to catch a glimpse of him in court.
Maybe he was sick? Should she leave and go find him?
The music was quickening, the dances blurred around her, she barely remembered Young Macintosh smiling goofily at her, completely unaware she had other things on her mind.
"So are ye gunna miss me when I go back home?" Young Macintosh asked as he clapped while she circled around him.
"Aye de sun set abit an hour agoo." Merida mumbled in reply having not heard a word he said.
Merida carried on frantically trying to spot Hiccup as the dancers skipped to form a giant circle in the centre of the hall. She felt Young Macintoshes cool hand grab hold hers again as she tried to look over his shoulder. As her eyes darted at the familiar and unfamiliar faces in the hall, she felt a different hand grasp her free hand.
A clammy, warm hand.
Merida jolted her head round to find a weakly grinning Hiccup stood beside her, his other hand holding onto the next dancer. The sound of his metal leg clicked against the stone floor as they all danced in a circle.
"Hiccup! Wha' are ye doin'?" Merida cried over the music.
"Something very terrifying!" Hiccup replied, still grinning but sweat shimmered on his brow.
The roaring sound of four clans cheering filled the room as the dancers continued to dance in a circle. Merida gripped tightly onto Hiccup and Young Macintoshes hand as the ladies skipped backward then forwards then backwards again. Merida found herself laughing, her heart raced as she held onto Hiccups hand. She felt a spark run up her left arm as she swung it in the warm air.
As the circle broke off, Merida felt Hiccup wrap one arm around her waist as he carried her off to one side of the area. Each keeping one arm on the others waist, Merida held up her dress as they danced in a circle while Hiccup kept his other arm in the air. They stared into each other's eyes, smiles growing on their faces but not saying another word. There was no need. Hiccup didn't feel this excited the first time he flew on Toothless through the sky and Merida never this happy when she rode Angus through the glen. Merida knew her feet were on the floor but she felt like she was floating. She knew everyone was watching them but she felt like she was in another world
Merida spun on her heel, this time her back against Hiccups chest. They held hands, their eyes still locked together. Merida felt Hiccup place his hands on her waist and he lifted and spun her in the air. Merida caught her breath as her feet touched ground.
For the remainder of the dance they never looked away from each other. They never noticed Young Macintosh, MacGuffin and Wee Dingwall glaring in the distance as they danced with their new partners. They didn't notice Queen Elinor and King Fergus smiling proudly at the young couple. They didn't notice the whispers, the giggles and murmurs of the clans as they discussed the fiery princess and one legged Viking dancing.
Heads spinning and hearts pounding the song finished and the sound was replaced with cheers and applause.
Merida flung her arms around Hiccups neck and hugged him tightly. He buried his flushed face in her soft wild hair. His cheeks aching from having smiled so much, his legs throbbed for a rest and his heart beating rapidly.
"Hiccup why did ye. . . where did ye learn ta dance like that? An' wi ye leg!" Merida exclaimed her face still full of surprise as she let him go.
"Well your dad isn't just a great swordsman. He's surprisingly light on his erm foot. So I kinda hoped I would be too." Hiccup replied smirking.
Merida turned to see her father raising his goblet at her in acknowledgement. Her mother sat beside him smiling affectionately and Merida turned back to face Hiccup who she realized no longer seemed nervous, shaky or twitchy. He looked relieved as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"Well thank ye fur dancin' wi me Hiccup. Ye certainly don't 'av two left feet." Merida giggled.
"Well to be honest I don't even have one left foot but you are welcome." Hiccup replied grinning.