Resolution

"Hmmm. I see," Hiccup said as he stroked his chin. He was sitting next to Rapunzel in their first class as she managed to relay her situation with Merida. Apparently the two girls had never gotten into a fight before. And now Merida wasn't speaking to Rapunzel at all, she'd even chosen to sit apart from her and by herself. Rapunzel was convinced Merida hated her now, and the thought was breaking her heart.

Hiccup was sure that wasn't the case. Something he said to try and cheer her up. "Friends fight sometimes Rapunzel. It's a pretty normal thing," Hiccup said with a shrug. Rapunzel sniffled as Toothless nudged her hand with his nose and Jack's partner, a small colorful fairy by the name of Baby Tooth, rested on her shoulder, tweeting at her to try and cheer her up.

"Yeah. Me and Hiccup have had our share of arguments. But we're still best friends," Jack said in agreement.

"This is all my fault. All because I wanted to join a dumb club," Rapunzel muttered sadly.

"No, it's not Rapunzel. You have every right to do what you want to do. Merida needs to understand that you're your own person," Hiccup argued.

Rapunzel looked at him, eyes unsure. She'd give anything for Merida to speak to her again. She really didn't know where she'd be without Merida. No...she knew exactly where she'd be. Locked away in a tower, no friends, no freedom, the days coming and going in a blur of monotony as she grew old and eventually died. Wondering and waiting for when her life would begin.

"I'll try to talk to Merida for you. K?" Hiccup offered. Rapunzel only shrugged.

After class Hiccup left Rapunzel with Jack as he followed after Merida. He closed in on her and gave her a tap on the shoulder. She whipped around, only to glare at him.

"What do ye want E-rank?" she muttered with a frown.

"Well, my name is Hiccup. Not sure if you know," he started. Her glare only deepened. "Anyway, it seems like you and Rapunzel have had a bit of a...falling out?"

"That is none of your own business," Merida spat at him. With that she turned on her heel and walked briskly away. Hiccup exchanged a glance with Toothless on his shoulder. The dragon gave his version of a shrug before flicking his eyes to her retreating form.

Hiccup sighed as he followed after her. He made a point of sitting next to her at their next class. Merida scowled as he took a seat beside her. "Hello. Me again," Hiccup said as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Why are you following me lad? Do you like me or something?" Merida asked with a blank face and an arched brow.

Hiccup's cheeks began to turn red. "No. I mean not that you're not likeable. Not that I like you, but that's not to say that I dislike you. I mean you are pretty..." Hiccup paused to slap his forehead. "Focus Hiccup. Focus," he muttered to himself. He took a breath to get back on track.

"Look. Rapunzel is really sad. She thinks you hate her and-"

"I don't hate her!" Merida interrupted sharply. Hiccup looked at her as she flushed in embarrassment.

"Of course. You just think she's not smart enough to-"

"Rapunzel is not dumb!" Merida interrupted him with a glare. Hiccup couldn't help but smirk at how easily she took offense to someone insulting her friend. "She's just naive. She still doesn't fully understand how the world works," Merida said softly.

"Was she locked in a tower or something?" Hiccup asked jokingly.

Merida flinched and swallowed. "No. She's just had a very...sheltered childhood," Merida lied.

"So when you guys started travelling together, you had to take charge right?"

"Exactly. The poor lass didn't know how to speak with people. She was just too innocent and friendly. Everything scared her and-Why am I even talking to you about this E-rank?!" Merida suddenly realized. She gave a huff she turned her attention to the instructor and ignored Hiccup.

After class Hiccup went to Rapunzel. He didn't have much to tell her. That only made Rapunzel sadder. They spent the day trying to console her, Anna lending her help as well. Merida stuck to herself for the rest of the day, ignoring Rapunzel during all their classes and lunch.

"I know. How about you come to baking club?" Anna suggested to Rapunzel. The blonde only perked up slightly. After classes she joined Anna at her club. She was immediately cheered up as she and Anna, mostly she, made cupcakes and decorated them with colorful frostings. Anna was apparently the worst baker in the club, so the others were glad she had a partner who was competent.

She even brought some of the cupcakes she made back to her room to share with Merida. When she got into her room she paused, noting Merida in bed, back to her.

"Merida. I brought cupcakes," Rapunzel said softly. Merida didn't respond. She simply pulled the covers up over her head. Rapunzel set the cupcakes down before getting ready for bed. As she laid herself down on her bed she cast on last glance at Merida's resting form. She felt her heart clench in her chest.

The next day went much the same as the day before. Merida remained by herself, ignoring Rapunzel and Anna. But Hiccup couldn't help but notice her fargone stare. As if she was deep in thought. He could see the gears in her mind turning as she turned something over in her mind.

During their next class Hiccup came to sit beside Merida again.

"Hello again."

"E-rank," Merida greeted.

"I do have a name you know."

"I don't care."

Hiccup let out a breath. "So how are you and Rapunzel?" he tried to as casually.

Merida frowned. "Not your business."

Hiccup sighed. "Maybe it's not. Look, I can understand why you had to take charge in the beginning. And I think you've done a good job. You can ease up a little now. You don't have to be her guardian anymore. You can just be her friend," Hiccup told her.

"And friends give and take. They listen to each other. Support each other," he finished before turning his attention to the teacher.

Merida frowned. She didn't need to be lectured by the lowest Knight in the school.

The day continued, they all went about their classes as they normally would. Until at the very end of their last class Merida's and Rapunzel's Speculums started to flash. They looked to their mirrors, and to their surprise they were being challenged to a duel.

By Snotlout.

Both girls suppressed a groan and walked side by side to the courtyard arena. They stood awkwardly side by side as they faced down their opponent. Snotlout's injuries had healed and he was looking for vengeance. He hopped on his feet, psyching himself up for the fight. The girls shuddered in disgust as he spit into his hands and then proceeded to rub his face.

A teacher stood off to the side as he gave the signal to begin their duel. Hookfang immediately took the form of his broadsword. Snotlout swung it around before slamming it into the ground. Flames wrapped around the blade as he smirked at them.

Merida sighed and rolled her eyes before looking to Rapunzel. The girl nodded and transformed, bathing the courtyard in light as she transformed and took her bow form.

Jack whistled, impressed by Rapunzel weapon form. "Cool."

"Something is wrong," Hiccup noted. Jack looked to him and arched a brow. Rapunzel's weapon formed looked...duller. It's usual luster was lacking. Her form was a faded cloudy yellow. Not the gleaming gold it usually was.

"Something must be wrong with Rapunzel," Anna said. Hiccup nodded.

Snotlout smirked as he pointed Hookfang at them. "You girls got lucky last time. But noon has already passed. You can't use your trump card anymore," he said proudly.

Merida rolled her eyes as she pulled back on the drawstring. An arrow of pure sunlight formed, but Merida paused as she took it in. It was thin. There was still plenty of sunlight for Rapunzel to draw strength from. She was about to ask her about it when she was forced to leap back as Snotlout came swinging at her.

Merida fired an arrow at him. But he waved his sword to block. She rolled under a slash before firing once again. But he blocked once more. Something was wrong with her. Them. Merida could feel it. Her mind just wasn't in the fight. Neither was Rapunzel. Rapunzel's magic felt distant and far away even though she was in her hand, not at all how it usually felt whenever they fought together.

"Rapunzel. What's wrong? Your arrows are weaker than normal," Merida muttered quietly. She rolled sideways as a stream of flames leapt at her.

'Sorry. I'll get it together,' she apologized.

The fight continued, Hiccup, Anna, and Jack noticed how sloppy the girls seemed. They were distracted, no doubt by the feelings lingering from their fight. Knight and Implement had to be in synch, focused on the task at hand. They needed to get past this or they were going to lose.

Merida sighed. She leapt over a swing from her opponent and then blocked the next swing with Rapunzel. The power of the blow sent them rolling away. She winced as she heard her partner hiss in pain. But Rapunzel didn't say anything as Merida was forced to use her to block Snotlout's assault. Merida felt her hands beginning to burn the heat from Snotlout's weapon seeped into Rapunzel.

She tried to get in a shot, but Snotlout kept easily blocked them with the flat of the blade. Smirking haughtily as she was sure this duel was his.

Merida silently cursed as she glanced down at her weapon. Rapunzel was silent, but she could feel the tension in her. She sighed in defeat and acceptance before swallowing down her pride and wetting her lips. She was about to do something she hardly ever did.

"I'm sorry Rapunzel," she muttered quietly.

'What?' came Rapunzel surprised response.

"For hurting you and-I don't mean to be so bossy. It's just that in the beginning I had to take charge and-"

'I know Merida. And I'm grateful for all you've done for me. Really I am. But I need you to listen to me more.'

"I know. And you were right. I always hated how my mother decided everything for me, planned everything in my life, and I didn't even realize I was doing it to someone else. Someone I care about deeply." She paused to blush. "You're my best friend Rapunzel. And my partner. And I'm glad I met you."

She let her words sink in. It was silent in her mind. She hoped Rapunzel believed her.

'Me too Merida. Me too,' Rapunzel said sincerely, happily.

Merida smiled as Rapunzel form began to glow. She began to shine, the metal beginning to gleam and reflect the light of the sun. Merida felt Rapunzel's magic begin to rise, resonating with her own and pooling together. She felt Rapunzel's power seeping into her hands, healing the burns she'd received during their duel.

As Snotlout came at them Merida fired an arrow at his blade. Her arrow collided with the blade, causing it to recoil back from the force. Snotlout blanched as Merida shot him in the hand, making him drop Hookfang with a yelp.

'Merida, I want to try something new. Is that ok?'

"Course it is," Merida told her. With a smile they pooled their magics, making the bow shine a brilliant gold. As Snotlout picked up Hookfang Merida suddenly pointed her bow upward. To everyone's confusion she fired upward and into the sky, directly into the sun.

Snotlout looked up, then down with a dark smile. He didn't know why they'd done that. But he'd make the most of it. He cocked back Hookfang and prepared to charge when a flash of gold fell near his left foot. He glanced down to see a smouldering hole right by his foot.

Another golden flash made him look to see another smouldering hole appear by his right foot. He looked up to suddenly see a rain of golden arrows coming down from the sky and on top of him.

"Crud," Snotlout said as the arrows rained down on him, scattering up dust, dirt, and smoke as they collided with the floor. When the debris cleared Snotlout was once again on the ground, small scorch marks riddling his body and his unconscious partner on top of him.

Rapunzel changed back back to her human form and gave a cheer. She and Merida whooped in celebration before high fiving.

Hiccup and the others smiled at the sight.

The next day during Toothiana's class the girls had their bond strength checked once more. And they were happy to see the strength of their bond had gone up to a 55.

Merida even joined Rapunzel and Anna at their baking club. Though she didn't do anything but eat the finished product at the end. The girls could feel it, their friendship had taken a new turn. A better turn.

Hiccup and Jack were eating lunch as Jack told Hiccup his plan to woo Elsa. Hiccup nodded along blankly, occasionally passing Toothless some of his food while Baby Tooth picked the fruit off Jack's plate.

Then suddenly Anna, Rapunzel, and Merida came to stand across the table before them. Hiccup and Jack looked up in interest as the girls took a seat.

"Hey guys," Rapunzel greeted brightly.

"Hiccup. Jack," Anna greeted with a smile.

"This does not mean we're friends E-rank," Merida said with a frown.

Hiccup couldn't help but smile and chuckle at her attitude. "Noted."

Meanwhile across the mess hall a pair a blue eyes were narrowed into a scowl.

Astrid sat with her friends as she watched the disgrace of the school fraternize with the very people who beat his cousin, twice. It was bad enough he let himself stay at the lowest rank in the entire school, but where was the loyalty to his people? And those new girls? They needed to be knocked down a few pegs.

"Thinking about crushing the rookies Astrid?" asked a dark haired girl at her side.

Astrid kept her eyes on the redhead and her partner. She nodded slowly.

"Shall Windshear and I who her what it's like at the top?"

Astrid shrugged. "Suit yourself Heather," she told the girl casually.

Heather smiled and nodded and smiled at the thought of beating down the new meat.

Time to knock them off their high horse.