Hi everyone, wow i'm surprised the love for this story. it will be a long time til the next chapter because I'll be in Florida for 2 weeks, so i hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 9-forbidden love

After a few months, Hiccup and Merida's relationship began to grow. Hiccup and Toothless would fly to Dun Broch and stay for a week, the time they shared together was wonderful. Mostly the teens, along with Angus and Toothless would explore Scotland. Merida told Hiccup about a monster in Loch ness and wondered if there might be a dragon living there, they investigated for hours but found nothing, but they did catch a glimpse of something that could've been a tail. Merida loved her new bow, it worked like a dream when she shot her arrows, she even showed it off to her parents. Fergus and Elinor were impressed by Hiccup's building skills.

As Merida watched, Hiccup's archery skills improved and in turn he taught Merida how to fly. She managed the basics but found it hard sometimes to remember to tail positions, one time Merida lost control and crashed into a field of wildflowers. Merida and Hiccup tumbled off Toothless, they landed on some soft earth so they weren't hurt. Hiccup stood and brushed himself off when he noticed a flower and an idea came to him. Merida had dusted herself down and saw Toothless pop up his head, he was covered with wildflowers. Merida couldn't help but laugh, she looked over her shoulder to see Hiccup walking up with his hand behind his back. He revealed a beautiful bunch of blooms. Normally, Merida didn't care for flowers but she thought it was sweet, she took them gratefully. Hiccup blushed slightly as Merida inhaled the amazing scent of the wildflowers. There was a deep chirping sound, they turned to see Toothless, holding flowers in his mouth. The teens couldn't help but giggle, Merida thanked him and took the flowers from the dragon's mouth. Later on, the princess placed her gifts of wildflowers in a vase. It brightened up her bedroom perfectly.

It was hard for Hiccup and Merida not to be close in public, even holding hands was too risky. That didn't stop them from giving each other quick kisses, hiding and secretly handholding. Sometimes, when they were walking along walls of the castle. They noticed one of the tapestries and Hiccup or Merida would pull the other underneath and stole a moment together. They enjoyed the thrill of almost getting caught. When they were out away from the kingdom, they were more like a couple. They would stroll through the woods, linking their arm as the sunlight glinted golden in the trees. They sat and snuggled and enjoying the breath-taking views.

Even though the two were happy, in the backs of the minds the fear of their secret being discovered still dwelled. They knew for a long time it was wrong, but their feelings were too strong for another, that they didn't want to be apart. Hiccup and Merida were depressed when they were apart, wanting nothing more than to see each other. So, when the met up, their hearts felt like they were going to burst. They knew that no one will except them being together, which made them wonder if they could ever have a life together.

"Merida. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Aye, I always wanted to try this. I didn't have anyone to try it out with".

"Yeah, but why am I the one that has to be shot at with an apple on my head?"

it was the beginning of summer, the princess asked Hiccup to try a trick she'd always wanted to try. Hiccup reluctantly agreed but was really regretting it now. It didn't help that Toothless was sitting with Angus, watching the whole thing.

"You'll be fine. All you need to do is to hold still while I shoot at the apple". Merida explained as she readied her bow. "You're lucky I didn't decide to wear a blindfold!"

"Hey, yeah, then I'd be really scared!" Hiccup said, Merida took her place about 30 feet from Hiccup. Reached for her bow, she made sure her arrow would be right. When she was ready, she released her arrow. Hiccup shut his eyes, waiting for the blow, but he didn't feel a thing. He opened his eyes and look up to the arrow straight through the apple, hanging from the tree.

"Ha, Ha, I did it!" the princess cheered. Hopping for joy.

The Viking slid down the tree if relief, glad to be alive. Toothless walked over to check on his friend, although his friend was not happy to see him

"Thanks for saving me from certain death bud" Hiccup said sarcastically but he couldn't stay mad as Toothless licked his face all over.

"I think you've cleaned him enough now, Toothless" Merida said and giggled when she reached them. Toothless quickly stopped and then rubbed his head to Merida's, while she stroked him. Merida helped and pulled Hiccup to his feet "Thank you Milady and may I say, your skills never cease to amaze me". Hiccup said while he pulled the arrow from the tree, she removed the apple and using a knife, cut it in half, she bit into one half and offered the other half to Hiccup. He smiled and took the fruit.

"Well, I had help with my trick and I should thank you for it" she replied playfully and gently kissed him on his lip which Hiccup returned, placing his hand on her cheek. Once they'd finished, they collected Toothless and Angus and stook a stroll towards the glen.

The teens held hands and chatted away as they walked. "So who would the best at arm wrestling? Your Dad or mine?" Merida asked.

"Well obviously mine. He holds the most wins on the island!" Hiccup answered.

"Oh, you haven't seen my dad. He won 35 times in row and he was throwing daggers at the target at the same time, all bullseye" Merida grinned proudly.

"That's impressive, but can he split a huge stone in two with his head?" Hiccup said triumphantly.

"Aye, he can, but can your dad lift two cart full of haystacks and two cows-while blindfolded?" Merida questioned back, hoping to get one up on him.

"Actually, he has. Here's one, has he ever grappled the horns of dragon, 10 times his size?" the Viking said.

The smile was wiped from the Princess's face, Hiccup could see Merida trying to think of comeback but she eventually said

"Ok you win" the two smiled and burst out laughing. Their conversations flowed easily. "Well, come to mention it, I being wondering about something for a while".

"Sure, what is it?" Hiccup asked.

"Well, your dad is the chief, right?" Merida said.

"Right?" Hiccup replied.

"And a chief is the ruler of the tribe or kingdom, so he's a king. So that would make you, a prince" Merida explained.

"Well, I never thought about it like that, but it does makes sense". Hiccup said thinking about it more. "If your mum knew that, she would have us marry right away".

"Oh gods, she would" Merida replied, burning her face in her hands.

"Yeah, we're not ready for that until you change your mind" Hiccup said softly taking her hand off her face.

"Asked me again in a few years and then I'll answer" Merida replied and the teens laughed.

"Well, is there anything you'd like to do?" Hiccup asked. There was something Merida wanted to ask Hiccup but knew he wouldn't like it, but it was worth a try.

"Well, there is something or rather somewhere I'd like to see" Merida began.

"What is it?"

"I really want to visit Berk" Merida finished and she saw the colour drain from Hiccup's face.

"WHAT! No, no, no are you crazy? If my dad finds out he'll explode and they'll locked you up and execute you and you look better with your head on!" Hiccup cried in disbelief.

"Ok not as bad as I thought" Merida said in her head. She understood him but she heard so many wonderful things about Berk and she wanted to see it. "I know the dangers but I could stay in the cove".

"Yeah, but I don't want you stuck there all the time and what if someone will finds you" Hiccup said his mind was racing "I should tell my friends, having them know would make things easier... but I still don't think it's a good idea".

"Hiccup?" The princess took his hands in hers and softly rubbed them "Please, I know you're worried about being discovered especially by your dad. It's just you said how incredible your home is and I want to see it with my own eyes. I promise you, nothing will happen to me" she reassured Hiccup.

The Viking couldn't resist her touch and those beautiful blue eyes.

"Oh. All right, I'll take you to Berk". Hiccup reluctantly said, hoping and praying to Odin they won't be caught.

"Yay!" Merida cried and kissed him on the lips.

"Ok, but if we get find out. You take the blame" Hiccup said after they separated "We should ask your parents first".

"Aye I definitely don't want to worry them, come on" Merida replied and the two quickly got on their friends and raced back to the castle.

Elinor was having some quiet time reading, she adjusted her woollen blanket when the door creaked opened to reveal...Fergus.

"Hello there love" he cheerfully said, smiling to his lovely wife.

"Hello dear, I thought you were teaching the new guards today" Elinor said as her husband closed the door before sitting next to her.

"Oh aye, we've took a break, we're doing hay bales later" Fergus said flexing his arms.

"Well, don't let them carry four hay bales at once. We don't need another accident" Elinor reminded him with a playfully smirk.

"Oh, would you rather them carry sheep?, trees?, you?" Fergus said moving closer.

"Are you sure? Wouldn't you be jealous" the queen asked, he pulled her in his arms, her Bear King, he held her to him.

"Jealous? I know you too well, no one would mess with you, until they want the bear to come out again" Fergus said gently moving a bit of hair out of her face.

"Well, my dearest man. I can release the bear any time I want" she said and then kissed her husband who returned it eagerly. Things may had gone further between the two but suddenly the door swung open.

"Mum, I need to talk to you" Merida called out as she and Hiccup walked in. Elinor and Fergus quickly pulled back and tried to fix themselves. The teens averted their eyes, felt like they were intruding.

"Should...should we go, we didn't know" Hiccup asked fumbling his words.

"No, no. We weren't doing anything...much" Elinor reassured them. She saw Fergus in the corner of her eye giving her a knowing look. "It's there something we can help you with?"

"No, we actually want to ask your permission" Merida started rubbing her arm nervously, really hoping they would say yes.

"Oh, what is it love" Fergus the asked.

"I'd like to visit Hiccup's home island for a week" Merida said smiling sweetly.

"What? How far is your island from here" Fergus asked Hiccup. Not believing what he'd heard.

"It's a two-day trip there but I promise, nothing will happen" Hiccup reassured the king and queen. Before Fergus could ask more, he felt his wife patting his hand.

"Fergus, can I talk to you in the next room please" Elinor asked him. It took him a moment to answer then he nodded. The adults left to the room and into the room across the hall.

The king sat down as the queen walked to the window.

"Have you noticed Merida lately?" Elinor asked. She could see Fergus didn't know what she meant, so she continued. "I mean, since Hiccup appeared. She hasn't been herself. She's become melancholy and distant but when Hiccup is here, Merida is back to her old self" she said as she walked to and fro. "I couldn't help but think..she's is love".

Then something unexpected happened. Fergus burst out laughing. He laughed so hard he nearly fell off the chair. He definitely thought his wife was joking but when he saw Elinor glaring at him, his laugh died down.

"Oh, you're not joking" Fergus said feeling a bit worried.

"Of course, I'm not joking, I would never joke about such things" Elinor answered back but she took a deep breath before saying "They showed signs of attraction and I overheard them talking and acting like a couple".

"Are you sure?" Fergus questioned "It doesn't sound like our daughter. Merida's in 'love', Merida doesn't do love!"

"I know, I know. Anyone who knows her, knows that Merida has never liked the idea of 'love' or 'marriage' but this boy has caught her eye. It's obvious something's between them" Elinor explained thinking of the interactions she'd seen between the teens.

"Now you mention it, Merida did ask me about her looks" he confessed. Elinor eyes widened, Merida couldn't care less about her looks, she could had gone around with her hair like a bush, covered in dirt and twigs and Merida didn't care, Elinor thought Merida must have really like Hiccup if she'd started thinking about her looks.

"There's definitely something between those two" Elinor murmured to myself. "What do you think of Hiccup, being with our daughter". Fergus took a while, thinking it over before spoke.

"I'm no sure, Hiccup's a nice boy but I don't know if he'll be able to lead the kingdom at Merida's side. She needs someone who's strong, who's a born leader and is able to care for Merida" Fergus voiced his thoughts. His wife thought he had a point.

"I understand but he's a gentleman and he's good building weapons, like the bow he's given Merida" Elinor said.

"True, that bow is impressive" Fergus agreed, he seemed to be a kind and responsible boy. "Do you think we should let Merida visit Hiccup's home by herself?"

Taking in all the information. They trusted Hiccup and knew that Merida had deep feelings for him.

"I believe so, let's go and tell them" Elinor replied. Her husband nodded and both left the room. What they didn't know was that while they were talking, Merida and Hiccup use d this time to be alone. When the teens heard the door cracking, they pulled away and sat up properly before the queen and king entered.

"Ur…should we leave?" Fergus asked when he noticed their red faces.

"Ur...No" Merida replied hiding her smile.

"Well, we've agreed to allow you to visit Hiccup's home" Elinor told them. Merida instantly jumped up, cheering and ran up her parents, giving them a kiss of thanks on their cheeks.

"Thank you, thank you" she said and hugged them.

"How does the day after tomorrow sound? it'll give you time to pack and we'll have Jamie take you to the docks..." Elinor said, but Hiccup stood up and without thinking shouted

"STOP!"

He froze, the royal family turned to him confused except Mer, who knew why. "I mean. My friend will take us there" He quickly told them which wasn't a lie but he could still feel the sweat forming on his forehead.

"Aye, so don't worry about it" Merida quickly said "Oh, look at the time. You need to return to your duties" and pushed her parents out the door, despite the royal couples' questions. Merida flashed a reassuring smile to Hiccup, who returned a smile of thanks.

Hiccup watched as Merida was handed her bags from her mum, the princess hugged her and her dad and ruffled her brother's hair.

"Yes, yes. I'll see if I could find any treats there" she said to the triplets.

"I hope your father's got the news of the guest your bringing" the queen said Hiccup. She'd asked the young lad to write to his dad before they arrived but Hiccup couldn't, in fear his dad would question him.

"Yeah, I have, he'll be surprised" Hiccup answered, rubbing his neck.

"Ok, Merida you have a good time and be careful" Elinor said to her daughter.

"I will. Don't worry" Merida said, giving her another hug.

Merida and Hiccup waved goodbye to Harris, Hubert, Hamish and the royal couple as they walked down the hill, toward the woods.

They soon reached Toothless and they set off. Their journey was exciting for Merida as they flew over the sea. She'd never left her home before it was so thrilling. They stopped on small islands to rest Toothless and slept in a cave for the night. On day three, when the sun was setting, Merida with her hood over her head was fast asleep. She rested her head on her Viking's shoulder, Hiccup didn't mind her, he loved to feel her close to him.

Soon Hiccup spotted the familiar outline of his home. Toothless purred at the sight. He flew and landed on one the Viking statues in the water, near Berk. The sudden landing woke Merida.

"W... what's going on?" Merida said looking about.

"Well, we're here" Hiccup said smiling. Merida looked over his shoulder and her eyes widened at the sight. Hiccups arms opened wide, showing the wonderous sight before them.

"Merida, this is Berk"