Chapter 2

Days passed, and none of the suitors impressed Merida. Until the final skill demonstration.

"Today!" King Fergus said. "We will see something from the Isles of Berk! The kingdom of DunBroch has long been plagued by bears, but Berk has something much worse! I present to you, Dragon Fighting!" Each suitor had been given a sword and a shield to defend themselves with. "Straight from the isles of Berk! I give you!... The Deadly Nadder!" A dark purple dragon with two legs, a birdlike bill, and a spiked tail burst into the arena. Most of the suitors screamed. They had never fought a dragon before. But there was one who wasn't screaming. Amidst the running suitors and fire-breathing dragon, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III smiled. He began expertly maneuvering around the arena, dodging fire blasts and flying spikes. He came up in front of the dragon, straight in its blind spot, and carefully scratched a spot on its neck. The dragon collapsed, purring with delight. Hiccup looked towards Merida and smiled. Stoick and Fergus shook hands. Merida couldn't believe it. This fishbone was going to be her husband.