The Viking teenagers had never been so terrified in their lives. They had battled enormous reptilian beasts, lived with the harshest and scariest of people, and flown through the air at horrific speeds, and yet the pretty young queen in front of them made them want to run away and never return.
Elinor was pacing in front of them. They had all been ushered into one of her sitting rooms while Merida and Phillip continued socializing. Edward was in bed, although it was hardly 2:00 PM, complaining of a weak heart. Fergus, after seeing the blazing anger in Elinor's eyes, had muttered something about "King business" and walked very briskly away.
"What," Elinor snapped, "did you thing you were doing?" She threw a glare at Fishlegs, who was still almost smiling at his small victory. "I was having an extremely important meeting-one that could change the future of this country-and you might have ruined it!"
Hiccup ducked his head, but still managed to shoot a glare at Fishlegs. This was, after all, his fault. Fishlegs, ignoring Hiccup's glare, cleared his throat.
"I know that it was an important meeting, and I'm sorry," he began. "But, this potion not only kept the dragon visible for 15 minutues, but also put it to sleep for 3 minutes. Was that not worth the time? We were even able to chain the dragon up before it could get away."
Elinor whirled around, her hair slicing through the air. "Excuse me?" She stepped towards him. "Do you know what that meeting was about?"
"The future of Scotland," Fishlegs replied calmly.
"And the future of Merida!" Elinor shouted. "I am trying to get her married to Phillip, and if he hadn't found that whole incident amusing, they would be on their way back to England by now."
Astrid cleared her throat. "I'd like to apoligize on Fishlegs' behalf," she said quietly, clamping her hand over his mouth. "It seems that he is blinded by his happiness."
Elinor sighed and sat down on a chair, rubbing her eyes tiredly. "Just... Leave, all of you. I don't want to see any of you until dinner."
Everyone nodded and shuffled out of the room.
"Oh, Hiccup," Elinor called. He stopped and turned to face her slowly, quietly dreading whatever reprimand she was sure to give him. To his surprise, she smiled softly.
"I'd like to apoligize," she said. Hiccup stared at her, not sure what to say. "I know that you and Merida are close, and I also know that her meeting with Phillip is hard for you. Thank you for being so gentlemanly about it." She stood up and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You are going to be an incredible man some day. I don't think you realize exactly what you can do."
She left soundlessly, gliding along that carpet. Hiccup stayed where he was, not able to speak. Praise like that was worth a lot, especially from a queen.
...
Merida and Phillip watched Elinor lead the line of Vikings back to the castle. She could tell that her mother was extremely angry. It worried her. Several servants were helping Edward to his feet and away. He was shouting abuse at them and the Vikings, as well as complaing about "this God-awful country".
"I'm sorry about all that," Merida said, glancing at Phillip. He smiled, still watching the Vikings.
"That was great," he said. "I can't believe the rumours are true. There are really dragons." He turned his face up against the sun's light, drinking in its warmth. "Was he there?"
"Who?" Merida asked, sitting down on the grass and pulling at a few blades of grass.
"The boy you love."
Merida smiled at his wording. "Yes, he was there. In fact, I think you two made eye contact for a few seconds there."
"The one who fell next to me?" Phillip laughed outright. "I'm just glad he wasn't the crazy one jumping around and holding that bottle."
"That was Fishlegs," Merida said, mentally slapping the viking boy. "He's a bit of an idiot sometimes."
Phillip shrugged. "Who isn't?" He gazed at the walls of the castle rising up in front of them. "Do you think we could stop this?"
"Our marriage?" The words tasted foul in Merida's mouth. "No offense, but I really hope so."
"I guess I'll just have to keep begging my dad. And you your mum."
Merida nodded and turned away, trying to hide her tears. Married at 18, she'd be.
...
Dinner was an awkward affair. Edward had been persuaded to get out of bed, but he was sullen and snappish. He sat down grumpily, glaring at anyone and everyone. Elinor was still incredibly angry at the Vikings and the events of the afternoon. Hiccup and Merida were both trying not to focus on each other, and yet they couldn't keep their thoughts away from the other. With the other teens still scared from Elinor's scolding and Fergus's timid attempts at conversation, it was up to Stoick and Gobber to fill the silence in the room. They tried talking about the weather, the evacuation processes, even Berk. Nothing stuck.
It wasn't until Stoick said that they should get back to dragon hunting when someone finally responded.
"I agree," said Hiccup. "Who knows when they'll attack? It could be any day, and we're no closer to figuring out where their leader is."
"I suppose," Elinor admitted, "That you'll make it without Merida."
Fishlegs nodded his head vigorously. "Yes, yes, yes. We have this potion now. We may as well scout out the hiding place of the big guy, anyways. See what we can find."
"Its settled then," Gobber said with his signature grin. "You guys'll finally be able to get out of this-" He glanced at Elinor. "-Beautiful, wonderful castle."
She smiled.
"I wish I could go," Phillip said wistfully.
Hiccup looked at him. "Maybe you could."
Merida's head snapped up and focused on Hiccup.
"Not happening," Edward snapped. "I will not have my son spend any time with you barbarians."
Phillip hung his head, but Elinor very nearly exploded. "Excuse me," she said icily. "But these barbarians are trying their best to save Scotland, which could very well save England. You had better be a little more grateful to them, or we may just have a problem." She wiped her mouth delicately and ignored Fergus's appreciative smirk.
"You could always come out and see Toothless," Hiccup suggested.
"Sure," Phillip agreed. "That'd be neat."
The tension was finally broken, and things went back to normal as possible. Tuffnut cracked a rather rude joke, Elinor snapped at him. Ruffnut laughed at Tuffnut, Fishlegs blabbed on about his experiments, and Astrid and Snotlout began to talk to each other like they used to, before Snotlout ever called her out for being mean.
It was only Merida and Hiccup that were not taking part in the conversations around the table. They ate slowly and silently, and both excused themselves to leave early. Hiccup went to his room and began to sketch, Merida went to visit Angus. However, Hiccup couldn't seem to concentrate on his sketches, so he took his book and pencils outside, ready for a night time walk and perhaps some escape from his inner turmoil. He decided to visit Toothless. First, though, he wanted to visit Angus. Whenever he saw the big horse he was awestruck and inspired, to some degree, Maybe he would even draw the horse.
He didn't expect Merida to be there.
He didn't notice her at first. He walked up to Angus's stall and laid a hand on his velevty nose.
"Hey, boy," he said gently. "I think I'll draw you, if that's okay."
"Hiccup?" Hiccup whirled around to see Merida standing there, holding en enormous pail of water. She set it down and stared at him, obviously surprised and terrified to see him standing there. "W-What are you doing here?"
Hiccup's mouth went dry as he saw Merida, her prettiness, the strong, noble air around her buzzing.
"Just, uh, drawing." He stepped back, bumping his head against a halter that was hanging on a nail. "Angus."
Merida walked over to Angus's door, brushing against Hiccup as she did so, and opened it. He watched as she stepped into Angus's stall, planted a kiss on his nose, and poured the water into a large barrel.
"There you are, Angus," She said softly.
"Look, I should go," Hiccup said. He knew that if he stayed any longer, he would blurt a lot of romancey stuff out.
"Wait," Merida said. "Please, I just, I need to apologize."
"For what?" Hiccup asked, remembing the anger he had felt. "For saying that you getting married off to another guy is for the best?"
She paled. "Yes."
Hiccup sat down on a stool, letting his head fall in his hands. Here came the romancey stuff. "I cant do this," he whispered. "I've been trying to be normal ever since you told me you're betrothed, but I can't. I don't know how it happened, but somewhere along the way, I think I fell in loev with you." He looked up at her, his green eyes wild. "How does that happen? How can someone fall so deeply in love with a person after knowing them just for a few weeks? Am I insane?" He stood up and began pacing. "Look, I just... I'm going to take care of this dragon problem, and then leave. I can't see you married of to some-" his voice cracked. "Some other guy."
Merida stood, her mouth wide open. "Hiccup, I-"
He shook his head. "I'm not usually like this," he said, half sheepishly, half very, very sadly. "I've been so emotional lately."
"I don't want to get married," Merida said. "I mean, I do, but I want to choose who."
"Then tell your mum!" Hiccup begged. "Please, you told me once to change my fate, so why don't you?"
Merida turned away. "It's for Scotland," she mumbled. "I'm sorry, Hiccup, but unless she changes her mind, this is happening."
Hiccup walked up to her, raised his hand, and touched her cheek ever so gently. Just for a second, when he looked in her eyes, they saw each other before this had happened, they saw each other waiting for the future eagerly, their future together. It was broken by a single tear falling from Merida's eye. In a few moments, Hiccup was gone, and she was left alone, in the stable with Angus.
She really, really felt like she should dislike her mother right now.
...
Astrid walked through the halls, searching for something to do. It was only 9:00 PM, but Ruffnut was asleep, and Astrid didn't feel like staying in the room with the snoring girl. She turned a corner and ran right into Snotlout.
"Sorry," she mumbled.
He smiled and leaned against the wall. "Ruffnut snoring?" She nodded. "Same with my roomies. Tuffnut's actually quieter than Fishlegs, though."
Astrid smiled, but couldn't seem to keep it on her face.
"Look, I'm sorry for being suck a jerk these past few days." She sighed and fiddled with her hair. " I was being mean to Merida, and Hiccup, and you. I don't know what was happening. Maybe I did still love Hiccup, maybe not."
Snotlout looked visibly taken back."Did still love him?" He asked raising an eyebrow. "You don't anymore?"
She shook her head. "I think I've figured out who I should really love. I-I'm so sorry, Snotlout. I've been so horrible to you all these years. You've been there for me all this time, and-" She stood on tiptoe, pulled Snotlout forward, and kissed him. He stayed still for a moment, not sure what to do, and then responded eagerly. She smiled against his mouth, listening to his whispered words.
"I've always loved you."
I am so sorry I haven't updated recently. I started school but that's no excuse. Here's the deal. I'll try to update every Thursday, or Friday. I have tests and projects and stupid school things, but I can do it!
I hope you like this chapter. Added in some extra special things just because I'm really sorry :)
