Hi everyone, i hope you enjoy this (long awaited) chapter. feel free to comment or ask me about my stories

Chapter 5-Touch the sky

Hiccup yawned as he was cooling a hot piece of metal into a bucket of water. He had been up early to remake Toothless's tail fin, he did this so less people would see and question him. Hiccup had been at DunBroch for four days and Merida was able to have a tent set up. She also asked for Blacksmith tools and equipment, Hiccup did wonder how to thank her for everything she done from him and Toothless.

He place the already cooled piece flat on the table before watching over his drawings, seeing if anything needs changing.

"Hiccup? You're in here?" Hiccup turned to see Merida walking in with tray for fruits, bread and cheese.

"Hey, sorry about missing breakfast with your family" Hiccup said as Merida gave him the plate.

"No, it's understandable, mum is more worry about you being hungry" Merida explained smiling as she crossing her arms as Hiccup took a bite of bread. "mum wanted the servants to send some food but I suggested I'll make it, annnd I brought a wee treat for late" and she then placed the sweet cake next to Hiccup.

"Thank you" Hiccup said then added "did you make this cake"

"No"

"Oh that's ok. Just wanted to make sure it doesn't turn me into a bear"

Merida couldn't help but laugh at the joke, she should had seen that coming. Her eye then fell upon Hiccup's drawing, she didn't understand them but she known what they were.

"Are these the designs from the tail?" Merida asked.

"Yeah" Hiccup replied as he joined Merida "I drew from what would left, added what would broken and did some minor changes that need alternates. I just need to make two more picses and saw up the leather for the fin and then we're good to go"

"Hic, if it's ok with you. Would you mind if I sew the fin for you" Merida asked him. She was surprised about her offering to help for she haven't done something like that before.

"You sew?" Hiccup said in surprised, Hiccup thought Merida couldn't sew for what she told him. So this was a real shock.

"Aye I do" Merida said crossing her arms.

"Sorry, sorry it's just I never thought of you as the sewing type" he quickly approaches, rubbing his neck.

"Well, there are somethings you need to learn as a princess and sewing is one. She replied reassured him "Who do you think made this dress" she added showing him the puffs on her sleeves.

"Oh you did? That's really impressive, I really like it" Hiccup said honestly.

"Thank you, it's better for archery" Merida answered proudly. No one ever compliment her dress that she made, hearing Hiccup like it made her happy.

"Well If I draw it out and write the measurements then you can do it while I try to finish these metal pieces" Hiccup expected at a moment "now where's that pencil?" And he searched for it among the papers.

Merida looked as well until she spotted one under a pices of paper "there's one" she said and they both reached and grabbed it. Merida got there first and Hiccup's hand was on top of Merida's . The two frozen and they faces turned pink, there was that strange feeling again. They been having this feeling for a while, mostly when they hands touch. Hiccup and Merida looked at each other, not knowing what to do.

Hiccup's mind became scrambled, thinking of a hundred way to apologised. Merida meanwhile wanted to say something but nothing came out. Eventually they moved their hands with Merida still holding the pencil.

"I'm sorry. No, I was my.." Both of them said at the same and then the two started laughing lightly together with help get rid of the awkward moment.

"Here" Merida said and handed Hiccup the pencil.

"Thank you" Hiccup replied taking it from her. "I'll start scretch it out now and give it to you it once it's done" Merida was about to say there was no rush when they heard someone yelled at the top of their lungs.

"Right, I had enough of you three. Come back here" The teens peeked out of the test to see Maudie running after the Triplets which Harris wearing a maid dress, holding it up as he ran while Hubert and Hamish were a bucket all of cakes.

"There they go again" Merida said grinning, watching her brothers disappearing around the corner with poor Maudie behind them.

"Do they do this all the time" Hiccup asked closing the curtain.

"Aye, they at less pinch a treat or two everyday. We surely would worry if they haven't" Merida told him lening against the table.

"Oh, has their crimes mostly cakes based or do they do other operations?" Hiccup asked as he walk back to the table.

"Well, they know for the odd prank or two. They had started big fights during clans meetings and of course they did help me with getting mum out of the castle" Merida said smirking that the countless pranks and tricks they pulled off. She then noticed Hiccup food's, it was hardly touch it. Then saw Hiccup head down, sketching away in deep concentration. "Maybe we should have a break, you been busy all morning. Why not have lunch by the archery field while I do some practice"

Hearing Merida suggest made Hiccup pause. He was determined to finish the tail but he do feel tired and hungry. He really needed a break.

"You know, that's not a bad idea" he finally replied looking up the the Redhead"

"Good. I'll get my bow and quiver and meet you there" Merida said smile happily before heading to the opening.

"Err..where is the archery field again" Hiccup asked sheepishly. He still didn't know where places would and he hasn't been to the game field yet.

"You turn right toward the arch way and it's on the other side of the bridge" Merida explained. "Ok meet you there" and gave Hiccup a small smile before leaving.

The young Viking tidy up, collected his lunch and walked to the field. He couldn't help but think DunBroch was quite similar to Berk as he walked across the bridge. Not only the bridge but the forests, the food and the people remind him of home. Hiccup started to feel a bit home sick and wonder how his dad was doing.

"Ha, look at that gangly lad. He looks like a scarecrow" Hiccup heard a loud voice yelling. He looked up to see a group of men laughing they heads off. "I don't think the crows won't be scared of him" and laughed even more.

Hiccup was use to people making fun and calling names before he met Toothless. All know he would brush it off, deep inside it did upset him. The insults disappeared and everyone says genuine good things to Hiccup now. Hearing these terrible words, brought back bad memories he thought they were buried down. Pretending he haven't heard them, Hiccup kept walking until he spotted some targets.

Hiccup sat against one of the target and ate the rest of his lunch, after eating he fell asleep. Hiccup didn't know how long he was but he felt something tickling on his nose, this cost him to sneeze which woken him.

"What the..." He managed to say. he then heard giggling, Hiccup looked up and Merida covering her mouth with one hand and had a arrow in the other.

"Sorry. I couldn't resist" Merida explanted. Hiccup soon figured in out. Merida used the featured end of her arrow to tickling his nose.

"Ha,ha very funny" Hiccup said sarcastically but good natured. "I have to get my own back"

Merida grinned at this "we'll see" she said "now, for some practice" and she took her bow off the shoulder and pull one of the arrow out of the quither. "Would you like to try?" Merida then asked offering the arrow.

"Err no, I'm good" Hiccup insisted "if I did, I probably end up shooting someone in the eye"

Merida wanted him to have a go but she didn't want to force anyone into anything that makes them uncomfortable.

"Ok, how about I do some and you watch, then when you ready. You can have a go" Merida suggested putting one of hands on her hip.

"Ok, sounds good" Hiccup replied. Pretty soon. Arrows were flying from the Scottish princess, hitting bullseyes every time. Hiccup was really impressed. He heard about Merida's archery skills from her story and what he heard from her family. Seeing her putting back and then letting her arrow go. Hiccup was mesmerised. He then began to sketch Merida in his book, he made sure that all the angles, her stance and how to she hold her bow, he wanted to draw her right. He seemed to draw Merida's face longer. There was nothing wrong with his drawing faces but doing Merida's was different, maybe he wanted to make it perfect or maybe something else.

After Merida had her seventh round, she notice Hiccup drawing in his book. Curious, she walked up to him then asked "What are you drawing?" Hiccup nearly jumped out of his skin and he quickly slammed his book shut.

"Er, er. Nothing, nothing. You would find it bordng" Hiccup stuttered, his face turning red. Merida did though about asking again but decided against it.

"Ok. It's your turn" she said and handed him her bow. Reluctantly Hiccup took the bow and then stood in front of the target. He loaded the arrow, shut his eyes and was about to shot.

"You're doing it all wrong" Merida shouted seeing how Hiccup held himself, his arrow wouldn't go too far.

"I know" Hiccup admitted clutching the bow "I never was good at it, wielding anything for that matter"

She sighed and walked up to help him. "Here, I'll show you" she said more softly helping him to ready the bow. "First, you need to open your eyes and you need to keep your head forward, You need to see where you aiming" she moved his head to the right direction. "Then you need to relax especially on your shoulders" she then added. Hiccup rolled his shoulders, breathing a few times. "Now pull your arrow to your check, then focus on your target then release.

Hiccup pulled the arrow, looking at target. He hoped the arrow would at least hit the target. With one last breath, he released the arrow. It soared beautiful and hit right in the bull eyes.

"I..I did it, i did it" Hiccup cried in disbelief. He couldn't wipe the smile off his face "I actually hit it"

Merida clapped and cheered for Hiccup "see, I knew you would do it" and punched slightly on Hiccup's arm.

The young boy didn't mind it for he was too happy to care. That is until a chorus of laughs echoed behind them.

"That boy sounds like a goose" one of the men shouted.

"Maybe he was one in another life" said another men and began honking and acted like a goose while his friends laughed.

The princess looked over to Hiccup, to see him trying to hide his sadness. She remembered his story from the other day, he mentioned that he was picked on a lot mostly for his appearance.

Merida's blood boiled as she turned back to the men who were still laughing their heads off. "How dare they said horrid things to him" Merida though as she stormed over to them.

Hiccup finally managed to pull himself together. He was just about to ask if they could leave but he glanced to find Merida marching up to the laughing men who weren't laughing when they saw the princess.

"May I ask, what happens to be so funny?" She asked with her hand on her hip.

"Well er..." They said, not as confident as before " well we never seen this odd boy before, we just having a joke..." One manage to say. Merida only glared at their terrible excuse.

"He happens to be my dear friend and if I heard one more heartless comment. You'll have a lot of time of thinking in the dungeons" she added which drained the colour off their faces.

"But princess is only a joke" one of the man pleaded but the Scottish princess wasn't buying it.

"Well if you still assist. How about getting my mother's opinion on this"

"No! No! Please don't being the queen" they pleaded now their face turn white as snow then one man suddenly said " I...I heard my wife calling me" for this the other men chorused...

"Oh yes"

"Me too"

"Just remembered I need to find my sheep"

Merida watched them huddled away with their tails between their legs.

Hiccup didn't know what to say. No one not even his father ever stood up for him, Also he admired that her fearless and her wit. He wished he have someone like Merida around when he was younger.

"I don't think they going to bother you again" Merida said reassuring when she walked back. To her surprised to see Hiccup look unsure.

"What's wrong?"

The young boy was brought out of his thoughts "Oh nothing, it just...thank you" he said smiling happily

"You're welcome" Merida replied relieved he was alright. "they're lucky I didn't try a new fight move my dad taught me"

"Oh what is it?" Hiccup asked

"He called it the head squisher, I could show you how it works" Merida suggested

"And now I regret asking, no I good. I wouldn't want to...what I mean is..is" Hiccup began is fumble.

"It's fine" Merida replied understanding "I'll show you some other time. Now we have a tail to finish "

"Hey but hope you don't mind we could get fresh drinks" Hiccup asked as headed back to castle.

"Yes, it really warm today. I like a drink as well" Merida agreed.

As the teens walked, they didn't know they had been watched. Elinor, who was doing some royal duties where she saw the two, she saw them doing archery and saw Merida telling the men off about Hiccup. Elinor smile at them, it was nice seeing her daughter having a friend because Merida only real friend was Angus. She continued watching them as they disappeared before Elinor went back to finish her job.

The next day, Hiccup headed to meet Toothless, carrying a newly made tail fin. He and Merida working tirelessly the rest of that afternoon until they finally finished the tail, Hiccup was dying to test it right away but it was getting dark so they planned the test tomorrow. Merida needed to help her dad with training some new guards, Hiccup said it was fine and Merida told him she'll catch up with him when she can.

"Hey Toothless" he cried when he saw his best friend drinking the water from the river. Toothless instantly ran and circle happily around his friend. "Hey, ok I'm happy to see you too" he put one hand around his dragon's neck. "Well, what do you think?" He asked and show Toothless the tail.

Seeing his night fury's toothless smile and his purring, Hiccup knew that Toothless liked it.

"Yeah it really cool. You know, I'm surprised how good Mer was good at metal work. Even know she never done it before" Hiccup then said looking at the tail fin. As they make the fin yesterday, Hiccup taught Merida how to make metal, to bend it and everything he knows. Merida mostly done the sewing while Hiccup did the metal work but Merida did help him when he asked him.

He remembered Merida telling him a funny story when they were working. It was about his dad and a blueberry pie that end up he having a blue moustache for a week. He is though that Merida has a sweet laugh and was a wonderful storyteller.

Hiccup then noticed Toothless giving him a look.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Hiccup asked raising an eyebrow. Toothless answered by directly looking at the tail, The young Viking wasn't sure at first but then it clicked.

"No,no Toothless, she's the princess of my deadly emeries. It couldn't be anything more. Even having her as a friend is just as bad" Hiccup explained, he signed heavy and buried his face in his hand. Toothless walk up to his friend side, gave a small purred of apologise. Hiccup peeped toward his fingers and showed his dragon a small smile to him

"It's ok bud" Hiccup reassured Toothless "It just becoming so complicated the long we stay. If Merida knew the true she..."

"What are you talking about?" Hiccup quickly turned to see Merida holding the saddle with Angus beside.

"Merida!" Hiccup said blessing, trying to think what to say "I was telling Toothless about your dad and that pie that made him blue" he laughed weakly. he felt awful, he hated lying to her.

Merida could see Hiccup grow pale when he talk. She wanted to question him more but she shrugged and let it go.

"Hey Toothless I got something for you" she said before she looked toward her bag. The Night fury instantly perked up, hoping it was fish."it's not salmon but hope it's still tasty" and pull out a very long eel.

Toothless growth and narrow his eyes which made Merida confused

"Oh Mer, dragons really are not fond of eels" Hiccup quickly expected as he tried to calm the Night Fury down.

"Oh I'm sorry" she said understanding now and toss it away as hard as she could. Toothless immediately softened when eel disappeared "That mite be good to know if dragons suddenly attack us. We'll just launched eels at them"

Hiccup couldn't help but laugh at the thought" yeah, I really want to see that now"

Merida join with him "oh I brought this" she said after finishing laughing and held up the saddle.

"Oh I absolutely forgot, Thank you" Hiccup said and gently took the saddle. His hand brush against Merida's hand and that cause the two to blush. They wasn't sure if they knew but Toothless and Angus could sense chemistry between the two human.

Hiccup and Merida quickly step away before their blushes got worst. Merida went to check on her horse just as Hiccup began putting the saddle on Toothless. It didn't help to Hiccup, seeing Toothless giving him a knowing look.

"Not a word" Hiccup murmured warning. It didn't take long for Hiccup to fastened the saddle and the tail fin on his friend, Merida in the meantime led her horse to the river for a drink while she brush him. "ok, we're all set" Merida turned to see Toothless suited up.

"You do look quite handsome, don't you Lad" Merida said to Toothless when the dragon hopped over to the princess. She gently scratch underneath Toothless's neck who purred and gave a lick Merida's cheek, causing the princess a laugh hard.

Hiccup was made up seeing Merida and Toothless bonding. She was a true dragon rider, not judge Toothless or himself at first sight plus He did like her fiery spirit. Toothless then hopped back to Hiccup and licked all over Hiccup's face.

"Toothless" He laughed trying to stop his dragon "you wanted to go flying, don't you" he then asked and Toothless nodded. "Ok we'll head up and test the tail out"

"Can I come with you?" Merida asked. She did wanted to fly on Toothless for a long time since Hiccup told his story. It sounded fun and exciting.

Hiccup hesitate at first, he wasn't used to someone wanted to ride Toothless but seeing her blue eyes bright up and knowing it wouldn't been in the air for long.

"Yes, just make sure to hold on" Hiccup said as he climbed on to his dragon's back.

Wasting no time, Merida hugged Angus, rush over and climb on behind Hiccup as he hooded his leg into the special pedal that control the tail fin.

"You're ready" Hiccup said to Toothless and before Merida knew it, they launched into the air. Merida gasped, shut her eyes and grabbed on to Hiccup's shoulders as they climbed higher and higher. Merida felt the rush of wind against her cheeks, it wasn't until she felt the wind slow down. Slowly, she opened her eyes and took in the sight. She always imagine what was it would be like to fly but this was better that she thought. the highlands that Merida knew so well, looks so different from above.

Hiccup smile when he looked over to Merida, seeing to wonder on her face. They happened to fly above DunBroch Castle and looked like model and figures of people from where they were.

Inside the castle, Elinor was looking through some letters as she past by window. She glanced over and halted, the queen had noticed something black among the clouds. Judging by the shape, it looked like a dragon but it quickly disappeared. Elinor pause for a moment. Did she see what she though or what's it just her imagination.

Merida breath in as they glide through the clouds, she reached out and tried to feel a cloud.

"Enjoy the view, Mer?" Hiccup asked.

"Yes. This is the most incredible thing I ever done." Merida answered happily "thank you and thank you too Toothless" and softly patted the dragon on his side which Toothless gave the princess a small smile.

"How about we take it up a notch" Hiccup then said, an idea just popped into his head.

"Ow like what?" Merida replied feeling a little excited

Hiccup lowered the whispered to Toothless "ok, let's show her what we can do" Toothless smirk at this and then shot downward. Merida's hair was flying behind as she cluck on tight to Hiccup. He blush lightly by this but he need to concentrate. Just as they near the ground, they flew by up again. Hiccup did think Merida was going to tell them off but instead, she laughed. Toothless began spinning so quickly , everything become a blur.

"Isn't this great" Hiccup shouted as they spun.

"Yes this is the most exciting thing I ever done" she replied and scream with joy. She love flying fast and feel the wind in her hair. After they stop spinning, they found a ravine and show Merida how they dodge and move through it. Soon the sun was setting as the teens and Toothless gentle glide around the mountains

"Well I can say the tail working. We should probably head back now" Hiccup said seeing how late it was getting.

"No" Merida suddenly said then added more softly " just...just a wee bit long. I really enjoying the view" Hiccup looking out and saw what she meant. The glow of the sun makes the meadows, the forests,the rivers and the mountains a mystical feel to them.

"Yeah me too" he agreed. The two shared a warm smile before looking over again. Enjoying this beautiful moment as long as they could.