I apologize for the unintentional hiatus. Right after Thanksgiving, my dear grandmother passed away. She was my inspiration in so many ways, and I've had a hard time with her passing. The holidays have been especially hard for my family. That being said I took some time off. But I'm back now and going to try my best to post more regularly. I appreciate your patience.

Chapter 36 The Witch

Fish," Hiccup questioned, "are you…are you saying that you can't see the wisp...like, at all?" Fish glanced at each of his friends in befuddled concern. He shook his head slowly.

"I…I… d-don't see a thing," Fish replied tentatively.
Hiccup and the others gazed at Fish in complete confusion, dumbfounded by his apparent inability to see the wisp which currently hovered just a few feet before them. For a moment, Hiccup supposed it all might have something to do with some weird effects of the poisonous Kelpie mist that Fish had been exposed to, but the more he considered this possibility, the less sense it seemed to make. If this actually were the case, it was far more logical that Fish would've suffered a more generalized vision impairment, but the only thing Fish couldn't see, was the wisp.

Fish stood silently under the weight of their gaze, unsure of what to do or say. Slowly his mouth curled into a slightly uncertain smile.

"Come on guys," he said, "I know you're messing with me. Eret put you up to this, right? He told you what happened the last time the wisps showed up, and now you guys are going along with his practical joke." Eret gazed back at Fish with a serious expression on his face.

"Fish," Eret said tentatively as he laid a hand upon his friend's shoulder, "this is not a prank mate. The wisp really is right there, clear as day. Just like last time." Eret pointed in the direction of the wisp. Hiccup glanced back and forth between his two friends curiously.

"What exactly happened last time," Hiccup questioned. Eret nodded as he dropped his arm at his side, and he turned back to Hiccup.

"The last time the wisp showed up," Eret explained, "before I scared it off, Fish said that he didn't see it that day either. He just thought that he had missed it. I thought it seemed odd because he was standing right beside me at the time, but... maybe he really couldn't see it at all." Hiccup furrowed his brow as he thought about this newest development, trying his best to formulate an explanation for why the wisp was visible to all present except Fishlegs.

As Hiccup continued to ponder the situation, he remembered what Merida had said about the wisps initially. She said that the wisps were ancient spirits tied to the land, tasked to lead one to one's fate. Merida was born in Dunbroch and had seen the wisps on multiple occasions. She had even seen them as a young child. It could be logically assumed that the wisps might only appear to someone as connected to Dunbroch as Merida was. Perhaps, having no real connection to Dunbroch, was the reason for Fish's inability to see the wisp. Of course, aside from his grandfather having set foot here nearly three hundred years in the past, Hiccup himself had no true physical ties to Dunbroch either, thus he had initially even questioned why the wisps had appeared to him as well. It was a question he had continued to ponder until he and Merida had discovered the spell that their grandparents had allegedly cast. After that he was certain that the spell had to have been the reason that the wisps had come to him in the first place. However, it had never occurred to him that the wisps might only be visible to the specific person, or people they appeared to. He had never really questioned the fact that Eret had also seen the wisps. But now, this most recent development with Fishlegs caused Hiccup to question everything he thought he knew about the wisps and to rethink any theories he had since formed.

He knew that Fishlegs had no connection to Dunbroch whatsoever, and up until recently he had thought the same about Eret. If Eret's suspicions about his family turned out to be true, he might have even stronger ties to Dunbroch than Hiccup himself.

Also Fishlegs had never mentioned anything strange happening to him since he'd arrived here, aside, of course, from his encounter with the Kelpie. Eret, on the other hand, had been having strange dreams and also acting oddly on occasion. He seemed to be haunted by memories of his past and of his family that he had, for the most part, put behind him long ago. Now, in light of Eret's recent confession, it seemed, there was a very real possibility that Eret truly was connected to Dunbroch through either one or even both of his parents. That being said, one could assume that some form of a blood connection to Dunbroch might be required before a wisp could appear to an individual. Though this theory could possibly explain Fish's inability to see the wisp, it didn't really make sense in Hiccup's own case. Hiccup's great, great grandfather had originated in Berk and therefore, he, himself had no true blood ties to Dunbroch at all.

As Hiccup thought about this, he recalled something Merida had mentioned when they had been discussing the significance of their grandparents' matching pendants. She had suggested that the pendants themselves might have been what had sparked the magic from the spell, that the pendants had possibly been enchanted with some sort of spell or blood magic. Maybe in their desperation, their grandparents truly had actually dabbled in blood magic to prevent their parting. Perhaps they had created the blood connection to Dunbroch for Hiccup the first through the specific spell they had used, a connection that had been passed down to his descendants via the pendant itself. It certainly seemed plausible; it did explain a lot of things.

But the question remained, were the wisps simply visible to all those connected to Dunbroch, or did they appear specifically to a person or multiple people that shared not only a connection to this place, but also a common fate. The significance of such a theory was not lost on Hiccup. It occurred to him that perhaps he and Eret coming together in Dunbroch might not have been just a random, ill-timed event. Perhaps Eret had been, to some degree, led here as well.

It occurred to Hiccup that the wisps might be specifically appearing to Eret as well. It was rather intriguing that the wisps had appeared just as Eret had revealed his own discovery. Could it be possible that this particular wisp was also meant to lead Eret?

Hiccup was distracted from his thoughts, when Merida reached for his hand, he turned to her curiously. She gazed back at him with an anxious expression on her face.

"I agree, tis strange that Fish cannae see th' wisps," Merida said, "n' I can see th' wheels in yer head turnin' aboot this, but we have no time to waste…we should follow th' wisps before it's too late!" Hiccup nodded in agreement.

"You're right," Hiccup replied, "we have time to figure this all out later." He turned to Eret questioningly.

"Are you coming," Hiccup asked. Eret shook his head.

"No, mate, you and Merida go ahead," Eret replied, "there's not much time before sunset and in my state, I'll just slow you down. Besides, this is you and Merida's thing…it really has nothing to do with me." Hiccup gazed back at Eret for a long moment with a serious expression on his face.

"I... I'm not so sure about that," Hiccup replied cryptically. Eret furrowed his brow at Hiccup's words in both confusion and intrigue.

"Y-you never finished telling me what happened," Hiccup went on, "what did you want to tell me?" Eret just gazed at Hiccup questioningly.

"It... it's alright mate," Eret replied, "we can talk about it later, okay. You and Merida need to go now, Fish and I will head back to camp and meet you back there later." Hiccup nodded in agreement.

"Then we'll talk," Hiccup replied assuredly. Eret nodded in agreement. Hiccup turned back to Merida and held his hand out to her.

"Shall we go princess," Hiccup questioned with a slight smirk on his face. Merida smiled as she slipped her hand into his once more.

"Aye," Merida replied, "let's go!"

~The triplets~

Harris, Hubert and Haemish, directed their highland ponies through the dense woods, following what they knew to be Angus' large freshly made hoof prints in the woodland ground. It seemed Merida had taken the same beaten path that she always used during her archery practice. At the moment Harris was in the lead, followed closely by Hubert, and Hamish trailed timidly behind. Harris looked back in annoyance at his brother. He rolled his eyes as he pulled on the reins and doubled back to Haemish.

"Come on Haemish," the boy nearly growled, "yer takin' forever, we'll ne'er find th' viking's camp at this rate!"

"I don't know about this Harris," Harmish replied in uncertainty, "Merida didn't want us to come out here."

"So what," Harris replied, "we aren't doin' an'thing wrong, Merida doesn't own th' woods!"

"Aye b-but sh-she didn't want us to meet the Viking yet..what if…"

"What if what," Harris snickered, "she can't stop us. What is she gonna do, tell mum? Besides, we are just lookin oot for her. This guy is a Viking and I'm not a hundred percent convinced that he's as honest as she thinks. So, if we have to spy a little to make sure she's okay, so be it."

"But Harris," Haemish whined.

"But nothin'," Harris replied, "if he's got nothin' tae hide then it won't be a big deal. Now let's go!" Haemish nodded timidly and snapped the reins urging the horse forward.

Eventually they came to a place along the trail where it seemed Angus had veered off the path. Harris peered ahead curiously as he turned his horse in the direction that the footprints seemed to lead. They followed the trail through the brush until they came to a clearing near the riverbank. It was there that the three brothers stumbled upon the makeshift campsite, as well as Angus tied up by a tree.

"It's Angus," Hubert exclaimed. Harris turned sharply to his brother.

"Haud yer weesht, ye dummy," Harris growled, "do ye want them tae hear us?"

"Alrigt…alright," Hubert replied in annoyance. Harris snapped the reins, urging his horse forward toward the campsite.

"Let's go," Harris said waving for the others to follow.

~Hiccup and Merida~

For the past hour, Hiccup, Merida, and Toothless had been following the wisps, through the now cold and damp woods. The nearly all-day rainstorms had dropped the temperature a bit, leaving a slight chill in the air. Even wrapped in her cloak Merida shivered now and again whenever a cold breeze blew past them. But the cold was the least of Merida's concerns. Thus far, Hiccup had remained unusually quiet, which was strange to her, considering the excitement of the long-awaited return of the wil o' th' wisps. She knew him well enough to know that he was mulling something over and she could not help but to wonder if that something had to do with either Fish's inability to see the wisp, or whatever Eret had told him earlier.

Merida was still quite curious as to what exactly Eret had in fact told Hiccup, and why he felt that he could not say whatever it was in front of her. She wondered if the reason Hiccup was being so quiet was because Eret had, in fact, sworn him to secrecy and all Hiccup could do now was try to work it all out on his own without any input from her. Not that she minded terribly at first, it was up to Eret, after all, to share whatever it was, and Hiccup was doing the honorable thing by keeping mum. So, despite her curiosity, she sighed heavily and tried her best to focus on the trail of wisps ahead of them. But, as the hour dragged on in mostly silence, she became increasingly worried, and increasingly impatient.

Currently she sat upon Toothless saddle, a few inches in front of Hiccup, her back turned toward him, his arms were wrapped loosely around her as he held the reins. He kept his focus on the trail of wisps ahead, but his face displayed a look of deep thought. Merida sighed once more, a bit more intentionally, but Hiccup couldn't have been more oblivious. She turned and glanced up at him. He was completely distracted, whatever dilemma he was focused on taking up all of his attention. Merida rolled her eyes in slight annoyance. Without a word, she leaned her back up against his chest, then turned her head to look up at him.

"A shilling for yer thoughts," Merida questioned. Hiccup looked down on her finally and smiled. Merida's lips curled into a half smile as she continued to look up at him curiously.

"I'm sorry, am I being too quiet," Hiccup questioned, "I'm just a tad distracted."

"Anything I can help with," Merida replied encouragingly. Hiccup pursed his lips slightly as he pondered her question. He, in fact, wanted to tell her everything that he was thinking about, everything that Eret had told him, and every possible theory he had been pondering since the wisp had appeared. But Eret had told him everything in confidence, and Hiccup didn't want to break his friend's trust.

"No," he said reluctantly as he turned his eyes back to the wisp, "not yet anyway." Merida furrowed her brow as she frowned up at him. As if feeling the weight of her gaze, Hiccup looked down on her once more. He couldn't help but to chuckle lightly at her expression of frustration.

"What," he smirked. Merida sat forward quickly as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Nothin'," she huffed. Hiccup's heart flinched slightly at her short reply. He felt guilty keeping secrets from her, particularly this potentially huge secret, that might very well involve her and her family. But, at the moment, his hands were tied, at least until he talked to Eret further. Hiccup sighed heavily as he gazed in her direction remorsefully. Telling Merida about this was honestly his first instinct. Not only because it possibly involved her family, but also she might even offer her own theories on the subject which could shed light on the truth. After all, they had already discussed the possibility of Eret's mother having been taken from Dunbroch, and Merida's own feelings of familiarity with Eret as well.

"Merida I…," Hiccup began. When she didn't turn around to acknowledge him, he sighed heavily once more. He leaned forward slowly, tightening his arms around her waist and gently resting his chin upon her shoulder. Though Merida's heart fluttered slightly at their closeness, she remained tense and unmoved.

"Look, I…I'm sorry," he continued, "I want to tell you… I just…I can't break Eret's confidence. At least…not until I finish my conversation with him." The tension in her body eased with his words and she relaxed in his arms.

"So, it is about what Eret told you earlier," Merida questioned. Hiccup nodded against her shoulder.

"Yes," Hiccup admitted, "and from what he's told me so far…it seems like it might be a pretty big deal." Merida furrowed her brow as she pondered his words.

"Good or bad," she questioned anxiously. Hiccup paused for a long moment, carefully considering her question. He grimaced slightly.

"I'm not sure," Hiccup replied, "it seems like it might be good, but it also seems…. complicated." Merida audibly groaned.

"Why can't ye just tell me," she complained. Hiccup snickered slightly at her frustration.

"I told you why I can't tell you right now," Hiccup reiterated as he pulled away from her slightly.

"I know," Merida groaned impatiently, "but I can't stand not knowing!" Hiccup smirked, finding her exasperation slightly amusing.

"It's not that big a deal…." Hiccup began.

"You just said it was a big deal," Merida argued. Hiccup rolled his eyes.

"Okay, fine…I ….I did say it might be a big deal," Hiccup reiterated, "but that's not…I mean….what I meant was…" Hiccup sighed heavily as he tried to get his words and thoughts straight.

"Come on Merida, it…it's not like I'm never gonna tell you," Hiccup replied, "I just have to talk to Eret first, like I said! Can you like, at least try to have just a little bit of patience!"

"Ugh…fine," Merida groaned. Hiccup shook his head in amusement.

"Ya know, you're completely adorable when you're frustrated right," Hiccup said with a smirk. Merida rolled her eyes.

"Flattery will get ye nowhere Viking," Merida huffed. Hiccup couldn't help but to laugh at her comment.

"Hey, I'm just being honest here," Hiccup replied playfully, "I mean from an objective standpoint...your pouting is almost too adorable to bear."

"Oh, well, I'm so glad that ye find my complete annoyance with ye so appealing," Merida replied flatly. Hiccup chuckled lightly at her response.

"It's not my fault," Hiccup replied amidst his laughter, "I can't help how I feel... maybe you should try a little harder to be less appealing when you're annoyed with me." Merida rolled her eyes at his comment.

"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III," Merida grumbled, "Ye are the most infuriating man I've ever met." Hiccup grinned as he leaned forward, wrapped he his arms around her waist once more and kissed her lovingly upon the cheek.

"I love you too Merida," Hiccup replied.

~Eret and Fishlegs~

Eret and Fishlegs made their way back to camp at a slow and steady pace. Eret still clutched his bandaged side for support as Skull crusher trudged on. Both he and Fish were quiet for most of the journey back. Though normally alert and on guard, Eret found himself distracted by his recent suspicions regarding his own alleged connection to Dunbroch as well as thoughts of his mother. His mind was so flooded with visions of his recent dreams and newest discoveries, that he failed to notice the freshly broken branches along the trail that he and Fish followed, and the multitude of fresh hoof prints in the recently muddied path.

As they neared the campsite, however, both Eret and Fish slowly became aware of unfamiliar sounds. They began to hear voices in the distance, as well as the distinct sounds of snorting horses. Fishlegs turned to Eret with a concerned expression on his face. Eret's focus now diverted to the trail ahead, he gazed intently upon the path before them, trying to determine the direction from whence the sounds had come.

"Did you hear that," Fish questioned in a whisper. Eret turned to Fish for a moment, with a serious expression upon his face. He held his finger to his lips, bidding Fish to remain silent. Fish nodded in response. As they continued on toward the campsite, the voices grew closer. Eret could just make out a young boy's voice.

"Come on Hamish," the boy nearly growled, "yer takin' forever, we'll ne'er find th' Viking's camp at this rate!"

Eret silently motioned to Fishlegs to divert their dragons off the path and into the thick brush beside it. Once hidden Eret dismounted Skull Crusher and quietly crept closer to the campsite, closely followed by Fishlegs.

"It's Angus," Eret heard the voice of a young boy exclaim.

"Haud yer weesht, ye dummy," a second voice that sounded nearly identical to the first voice growled in reply, "do ye want them tae hear us?"

Both Fishlegs and Eret paused for a moment, trading worried glances before moving on. They cautiously made their way forward toward the camp. Eret peered ahead through the thick brush to see three identical red-haired boys roaming around the campsite, seemingly inspecting every detail of the area. One of the boys stood close by to Merida's Clydesdale.

"It's Angus no doubt," he heard the boy say, "This must be the Viking's camp...but where are he and Merida? And why would Merida just leave Angus behind?"

"Maybe they just went for a walk," a second boy said. The first boy crossed his arms and gave a flat look to the second boy in reply.

"Aye right," the first boy replied in an annoyed voice.

"Merida trusts him Harris," the third boy spoke up finally, "she is a good judge of character. Until she says otherwise, we have no reason not to trust him either."

"He's still a Viking Haemish," the first boy groaned, "and Vikings aren't exactly known tae be honest men!"

"But Merida said..." the third boy began.

"I know what Merida said," the first boy replied, "but what if she's wrong...or what if she isnae thinkin' clearly. I dinnae think we should trust him until we know for sure that he's trustworthy!"

"But Harris," the third boy started.

"But nothin'," the first boy replied, "we are her brothers, it's our job to look oot for her, whether she likes it o' not!"

"Merida's brothers," Fish mouthed as he turned to Eret, with wide eyes. Eret nodded and turned back to the boys.

"Harris! Haemish! Come take a look at this," the second boy called out to his brothers. Eret and Fish watched as the two boys quickly ran in the direction of their brother, off to the right of the camp, which just so happened to be where their dragons had been previously. The three boys stood in silent surprise as they gazed at the multitude of monstrous footprints left in the mud. After the rainstorm the prints were filled with water and looked like giant foot-shaped puddles.

"What do ye suppose made those," the second boy asked.

"I dinnae ken," the boy known as Harris responded in a dumbfounded voice, "but maybe we should tell mum and dad aboot this. Maybe Merida and her friend are in real trouble?"

Fish and Eret looked at each other in concern.

"What do we do," Fish whispered anxiously.

"I don't know," Eret whispered in reply, "but if her brothers go and tell their parents that Merida is missing and a bunch of monsters are running around the forest, they'll most likely send the guards out to find her. If that were to happen then Merida and Hiccup's plan to come forward tomorrow will be shot."

"So, what do we do," Fish questioned once more, "how do we stop them? Eret sighed heavily as he pondered Fish's question. He shook his head as he tried to formulate a plan quickly, preferably one that would not involve any sort of threatening or kidnapping of any kind.

"We improvise," Eret replied with a long, drawn-out sigh. This was just about the last thing he wanted to deal with today. One thing was certain, Hiccup was going to owe him big time for this. He turned to Fishlegs with a serious expression on his face.

"No matter what happens," Eret replied, "you stay here...if this goes badly you need to give Hiccup and Merida a heads up." Fishlegs nodded. Without another word, Eret stood and headed slowly toward the three princes.

"Uh...ahem," Eret cleared his throat, gaining the attention of the three boys. They turned instantly and gazed at him wide-eyed. Eret gazed back at them in intrigue. The family resemblance between Merida and the boys was uncanny. All three donned the same curly red locks as their sister, though shorter and slightly less unruly. The boys stared back at him with the same formidable, steely pale blue gaze that Merida had graced him with on the day he'd scared off the wisp. Eret cleared his throat once more as he tried his best to cover up his curiosity.

"Uh…hello there," Eret said politely after an awkward moment of silence, "I...uh...I'm sorry to interrupt...but I was just passing by...and I heard the three of you. I was just curious what all the commotion was about." The three brothers glanced at one another for a moment, as if silently forming an unspoken plan. They nodded to one another simultaneously, then quickly pulled their swords from their sheaths and pointed them in Eret's direction. Eret quickly raised his right hand in surrender while still clutching his wounded side with his left hand. He stumbled back a few steps.

"Whoa….okay…hold on now mates," Eret replied calmly, "I'm not your enemy."

"Are ye the Viking," Harris questioned pointedly.

"I'm afraid you're going to have to be a little more specific," Eret replied, "are you looking for a particular Viking or will any Viking do?"

"Dinnae speil dumb wi' us," Harris replied, "are ye the Viking o' not?"

"I don't believe I'm the particular Viking you think I am," Eret replied, "but I am a Viking."

The three boys stood motionless for a moment, seemingly uncertain as to what their next move should be. Sensing their uncertainty, Eret took a cautious step forward.

"Not another step Viking," Harris said firmly. The boy took his own few steps forward, pointing his blade directly at Eret's chest.

"Look I don't want any trouble," Eret replied.

"Ye should've thought o' that 'afore ye set foot in Dunbroch Viking," Harris spat.

"I assure you I didn't come here with any ill intent," Eret insisted.

"Aye right," Harris replied dubiously, "n Mordu is a wee moogie." Eret raised an eyebrow at Harris' comment.

"Mordu," Eret muttered in confusion.

"Who are ye," Hubert questioned, "and what've ye done with our sister?"

"Uh…sister," Eret replied, feigning ignorance.

"Aye, that's her horse." Harris replied as he pointed to Angus with his opposite hand, "this is your camp…but Merida is nowhere tae be found, so what've ye done with her?"

"I swear to you, I've done nothing with your sister," Eret replied. The three boys glanced at each other then turned back to Eret again.

"My name is Eret," he explained, "I'm a tracker…I just so happen to be looking for a particular Viking myself. I tracked him here. I believe this is his camp and I know he's been traveling with a local, I assume that's probably your sister." The three boys once again glanced at each other briefly, then turned back to Eret.

"Why are ye lookin' for him," Harris questioned, "did he do somethin' wrong?"

"Aye is he a criminal," Hubert chimed in.

"No…no nothing like that," Eret replied, "he's a good man…the chief of my tribe in fact, and a fairly good friend. I'm looking for him because he ran away."

"Ran away," Harris said in a questioning tone. Eret nodded.

"So, he's a deserter then," Harris replied.

"No…no…he uh…he's just a…a bit of an adventurer is all, he likes to go off sometimes and explore new places. He's more of a diplomat…a peacekeeper. Of course, on occasion he's come across a clan that wants nothing to do with peace, which has gotten him into trouble now and again. That's where I come in. See…it just so happens, the chief's been gone a little longer than expected, so I was sent to look for him, just in case he found some trouble this time as well."

The boys remained quiet as they pondered the information that Eret had given them.

"How do we know yer tellin' the truth," Harris replied.

"Aye," Hubert chimed in, "why should we trust ye…or yer friend?" Without a word Eret pulled his sword from its sheath and tossed it on the ground at their feet. He then removed his dagger and tossed it to them as well. He put his hand back up in surrender.

"I'm unarmed and at your mercy," Eret replied, "and as you can see, not exactly in any condition to fight back." He motioned to his wound as he spoke. The boys each lowered their swords.

"Aye what happened to ye," Haemish asked.

"I ran into a bit of trouble myself," Eret replied, "a kelpie to be exact. Those footprints over there are from the beast." Eret hadn't really thought twice about lying, all he knew was he needed to keep the truth about the dragons hidden at least until Hiccup and Merida came forward.

"A kelpie," both Hubert and Haemish gasped. Harris on the other hand, gazed back at Eret disbelievingly.

"Ye…had a run in with a Kelpie," Harris replied dubiously. Eret nodded in reply. The other two boys gazed at him with wide eyes much to the chagrin of Harris.

"Och, c'moan guys," Harris said in an annoyed tone, "ye dinnae actually believe him do ye? Ye've heard th' stories, no one has ever run in tae a kelpie n' lived tae tell th' tale!"

"I dinnae kin Harris," Hubert replied, "what else could've made footprints like that?"

"How did ye defeat it," Harris questioned turning back to Eret.

"I didn't," Eret replied, "after it wounded me, I ran and hid. Then it…just sort of…uh… disappeared."

"What about Merida n' yer friend," Harris questioned, where are they now?" Eret shrugged.

"I don't know," Eret replied, "they weren't here when I got to the camp. I'm fairly certain I just disrupted the creature attempting to make a meal of that horse." He motioned to Angus. Harris sighed heavily with Eret's words.

"Maybe we should still tell mum," Haemish suggested, "Merida is still out there, and if there is a kelpie stalkin' the highlands then she could be in trouble."

"No," Eret inadvertently blurted out before he thought better of it. The boys turned to him again with both curious and suspicious expressions.

"Uh… I just mean…uh…if your sister truly is with my friend…I wouldn't worry too much about her," Eret explained, "He's a man of bravery and honor, and he's uniquely qualified to dispatch a monster should it cross his path."

"Ye really believe yer chief could take on a kelpie," Harris questioned.

"Of that I have no doubt," Eret replied with a half-smile, "and I believe that should your sister find herself in his company, she'd be in good hands." The three brothers turned from Eret and huddled together for a moment.

"What do ye think Harris," Hubert questioned, "do ye think he's tellin' th' truth?"

"He did tell us th' Viking is a good man…just as Merida said," Haemish chimed in.

"Aye," Harris replied, "but Merida ne'er said anything about a second Viking. Whose tae say he's nae just coverin' for his friend. That this whole thing is just a ruse tae get Merida tae trust him.

"Well, I believe him," Haemish said boldly.

"Haemish don't be naïve," Harris said, "they are Vikings...no matter how believable his story is we have to be on guard!"

"But the other Viking loves Merida," Haemish replied firmly, "I don't think that he'd lie to her."

"How can ye possibly know that," Harris replied, "ye ne'er even laid eyes on him...how can ye possibly know how he feels?" Haemish shrugged.

"Merida would nae feel as she does if he didn't," Haemish replied with conviction, "I trust Merida and I believe the Viking." Harris gazed back at Haemish as he silently pondered his brother's words. Haemish had a legitimate point. It was clear in their earlier conversation that Merida seemed to have real true feelings for this mystery Viking. She was certainly not one to fall for any sort of frivolous romantic gestures. She was not a girl so easily swayed. It was apparent that if the Viking had legitimately won her affections, it could only be because his own affections for her were true. Despite this, Harris remained skeptical especially since this second Viking had now shown up on Dunbroch's shores. Harris rolled his eyes and audibly groaned as he stood up straight from the huddle. He turned toward Eret and took a few steps forward followed by his brothers.

"Alright Viking," Harris said in a firm voice as he crossed his arms over his chest, "but yer gonna tell us all ye know o' that chief o' yers."

"No problem, mates," Eret replied, "but his is a fairly long story, I don't know that I'll get to the end by sundown...don't you have to be home before then?" Harris furrowed his brow at Eret's comment.

"How do ye know that," Harris asked.

"I...uh...well...I just assumed," Eret replied, "as ye know I've been tracking the chief for days and your sister always goes home before dark...I assumed it'd be the same for the three of you."

"He's nae wrong Harris," Hubert said.

"Fine," Harris groaned, "show me yer hands." Eret immediately did as he was told. Harris pulled a rope out of his saddle bag and proceeded to tie Eret's wrists together in front of him.

"I assure you this isn't necessary," Eret replied.

"We dinnae know ye Viking," Harris replied, "I dinnae trust ye as far as I can throw ye."

"That's fair I guess," Eret replied coolly. Harris rolled his eyes.

"Get on wit' it then, ye glaikit Viking" Harris grumbled. Eret smirked at the boy's comment. His mannerisms and the way in which he spoke nearly mirrored that of his sister's and Eret couldn't help but to find this slightly amusing.

"Well...I wasn't always a member of his clan," Eret replied, "in fact I was his enemy once. I don't have much knowledge of all that happened before me, so I'll start with how I met him."

~Hiccup and Merida~

As Hiccup and Merida continued on, Hiccup found himself completely content holding her in his arms as they followed the path of wisps. It seemed their passionate entanglement earlier in the cave had awakened his deepest amorous desires to be close to Merida. All he could think about now, was how he felt while holding her in his arms, and how much he wanted her. Everything about her was nearly intoxicating to him; the softness of her skin upon his cheek, the sweet, calming scent of lavender in her wild red curls, the warmth of her body so close to his. He felt suddenly overwhelmed by his desire to be close to her.

He breathed in deeply as he put one of his hands upon her stomach and gently pulled her closer to him, until her back was flush against him. Without a second thought he leaned closer to her and gently kissed the sensitive part of her neck just under her ear lobe, causing her to shiver slightly. Hiccup grinned at her reaction. Feeling slightly bolder, he reached up with his opposite hand, gently moved her long tangled hair, exposing the nape of her neck and then tucked the wild curls over her opposite shoulder. He leaned forward, softly kissing the back of her neck, letting his lips linger on her soft ivory skin. This caused Merida to tense her body and arch her back slightly as a flurry of shivers went down her spine.

"Hiccup," she giggled, "control yourself." He chuckled slightly as he pulled away from her just slightly.

"I'm sorry," he chuckled, "I've just wanted to be this close to you since the day we met, now that I know that you love me too, it's hard to control myself." Merida blushed slightly.

"Yer incorrigible Hiccup," Merida smirked, "ye know that?" Hiccup chuckled at her words.

"Hey, I can't help how I feel, Merida," he replied, "I'm just so happy, and holding you, knowing that you love me too, is better than I ever dreamed." Merida sighed softly as she laid her head back against his shoulder and looked up at him.

"For me too," she smiled. He smiled down at her, completely taken by her beauty once again. Even more so, now that he knew how she felt. He gazed at her longingly.

"You don't even know how beautiful you are," he asked as he smiled down at her, "do you?" She smiled back.

"Hmmm," she sighed as she turned her eyes back to the trail of wisps, "why don't you tell me." He paused a moment to think of what to say but the story of the Valkyrie was all he could think of.

"Well...there's this story my dad used to tell me about the Valkyrie..."

"Valkyrie," Merida questioned in curiosity.

"So... the Valkyrie are like, these angels that care for the souls of the fallen warriors. They are supposed to be these fearless warrior women whose beauty is beyond compare. They are tasked to carry the souls of the fallen home to Valhalla. It's said that looking upon a Valkyrie is like looking into the heavens themselves. Should a warrior ever look upon one, he could not look away and he must follow her home to Valhalla."

"So, if a warrior sees a Valkyrie," Merida questioned, "it means he's going to die?"

"No," Hiccup scoffed, "I think you only see a Valkyrie if you're already dead...but that's not the point..."

"So, what yer saying is, I'm so beautiful ye wish ye were dead," she questioned flatly.

"No," Hiccup replied in amusement, "I don't..."

"Ye feel like yer already dead?"

"No…. Merida..."

"Ye feel like yer dying?"

"No Merida," Hiccup said firmly, "the being dead part is not the point." She looked up at him in confusion.

"Can I finish please," he smiled down at her. She nodded in slight amusement.

"Okay," he chuckled, "my dad told it something like this..."

"Behold the Valkyrie came upon the battlefield. Hair aflame like the fire of a dragon's breath, eyes as blue as the heavens themselves and shining as the stars above and wings of gold. They come to collect the souls of the warriors. Their beauty unmatched bringth such peace upon the hearts of the fallen, that they willingly follow through the gates of Valhalla.'"

"That's what I think of when I look at you," he explained. "You're like, an angel leading me home, and since the moment I saw you, I haven't been able to look away." Merida was left speechless. It was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever said to her. She could feel her heart beat increase and the blush that formed on her cheeks.

"Hiccup," she replied, "I...I don't know what to say...no one has ever said anything close to that...to me...you… you really feel that way?"

"Of course," he replied as he nuzzled his face against the side of her neck," the first time I saw you I thought you were the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen, and the more I get to know you the more beautiful you are." Merida turned to him and kissed him on the cheek. She then turned back to the trail ahead. Hiccup smiled warmly at her action.

"Well, the first time I saw ye," Merida paused as she raised an eyebrow mischievously, "I was terrified because I thought ye were some sort o' full armored fiend." Hiccup chuckled.

"But after that," she smiled, "I thought ye were downright adorable." Hiccup smirked slightly.

"I knew you liked me from the start," he replied assuredly.

"Ye did not," Merida laughed.

"Did to," Hiccup replied in amusement. He looked down on her once more, the smile never leaving his face.

"I have to be honest Merida," Hiccup said, "I don't know how in the hell I'm supposed to pretend that I'm not madly in love with you when we go to your parents."

"Hiccup," Merida giggled.

"What," Hiccup chuckled, "I'm being serious Merida. How exactly do you expect me to get through a single day without holding you, or kissing you, or telling you how I feel, let alone a week or more.

"It will only be a few days," Merida insisted, "I'm sure ye'll survive." Hiccup scoffed at her words.

"Yeah, a few days until we maybe tell your parents how we feel about each other," Hiccup lamented, "and by that time the suitors will start showing up, which means I'll still have to hide my feelings. Not to mention that you and I will literally have no alone time whatsoever."

"Aye, yer bein' just a tad over-dramatic Hiccup," Merida chuckled, "don't ye think?"

"Over-dramatic," Hiccup exclaimed, "are you kidding me?"

"Ye willnae have to hide yer feelings if yer officially courting me," Merida replied, "and we will still have some alone time during the courtship too." Hiccup sighed slightly as he rolled his eyes.

"Yeah…assuming your parents allow me to court you, and even then it will be with a chaperone present," Hiccup replied flatly, "and then afterward you'll go off and have alone time with all the other suitors too…including Ryan Macintosh." Hiccup nearly grumbled the name as he spoke. Merida looked up at him in slight concern.

"Hiccup," Merida began.

"Not to mention," Hiccup continued, "Having to watch these guys practically drool all over you and not be able to do anything about it! Do you know how hard that will be for me?"

"Hiccup," Merida huffed, "ye have nothin' to worry aboot, ye know that." Hiccup sighed heavily as he pondered over her words. She was right of course, deep down he knew she was right, but try as he might he could not banish his jealous anxiety completely. Just the thought of Ryan Macintosh spending any time with her seemed to put him over the edge with anxiety.

"Ye said yerself, the coming of the suitors is inconsequential," Merida went on, "nothing the suitors do or say matters. None o' them will ever change how I feel about ye."

"I know….I know," Hiccup grumbled, "I…I just…" Hiccup paused for a long moment as he tried to formulate a tactful explanation of his feelings.

"Look. I know the suitors don't matter," Hiccup replied, "and I know that I have nothing to worry about…but I also can't help how I feel about it. I mean, just the thought of these guys coming to Dunbroch to basically woo you, a-and try to convince you the choose them over me, i-it makes me..."

"Jealous," Merida interrupted with a raised eyebrow.

"No...not jealous," Hiccup replied flatly. "It…it just...bothers me a little." Merida looked up at him with a dubious look on her face. Hiccup rolled his eyes

"Okay fine, i-it bothers me a lot, actually," Hiccup huffed in frustration, "but can you blame me? You're mine Merida... a-and I really can't stand the idea that these guys coming around a-and doing everything in their power to take you away from me!" Merida furrowed her brow at Hiccup's comment.

"That … has to be… by far… one o' th' most…chauvinistic things ye've ever said," Merida replied flatly.

"What," Hiccup scoffed, "it's not chauvinistic."

"Oh no," Merida huffed, "Ye might as well be a cave man." Hiccup rolled his eyes.

'Woman mine, suitor bad," Merida mocked in a deep growl, "next thing I know ye'll be clubbing suitors o'er th' head n' dragging me by my hair back to Berk." Hiccup couldn't help but to laugh at her comment.

"Don't be ridiculous Merida," Hiccup scoffed, "although… clubbing suitors doesn't exactly sound all that bad… but I would never drag you by your hair." He leaned forward closer to her ear with a mischievous smile, "I mean...unless you wanted me to." Merida's cheeks flushed instantly red.

"HICCUP," Merida exclaimed in flustered amusement. She turned to him and smacked him several times on the arm. Hiccup laughed at her reaction as he ducked to avoid her.

"Okay…okay, it was just a joke," Hiccup replied amidst his laughter as he held his hands up in surrender, "I... I'm sorry, okay."

"Yer a hooligan," Merida grumbled.

"In more ways than one princess," Hiccup chuckled, "but more importantly I'm your hooligan." Merida rolled her eyes as she turned back to face the trail of wisps, the blush still evident on her face. Hiccup leaned forward once more, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close to him. He rested his chin gently upon her shoulder and took a deep, calming breath, as he tried to push his anxiety over their situation to the back of his mind. He tried his best to just focus on this present moment with her in his arms. His love for her was beyond compare, he loved everything about her. This was all that mattered, just he and Merida in this perfect moment. As far as he was concerned, things couldn't get much more perfect than this. Maybe that's what worried him most of all. Life always seemed to have a way of pulling the rug out from under him the moment things started to feel perfect. Merida leaned back against his chest and nuzzled her cheek up against his.

"Do ye trust me Hiccup," Merida questioned in a soft, somewhat uncertain voice. Hiccup lifted his head from her shoulder and gazed down at her. He was slightly taken aback, both by her question and her vulnerable tone.

"Of course, I trust you," Hiccup replied firmly, "you know I do."

"Then try tae give me a wee bit o' credit," Merida replied in a slightly bolder tone, "do ye really think that any one o' them glaikit suitors could turn my head wit' nothin' mair than a wink o' his eye, or steal my heart for that matter?"

"No, I...I don't think that at all," Hiccup replied, "that's not what I'm saying...that's not the point Merida."

"Then what's the point," Merida questioned pointedly.

"I... I...I don't trust them," Hiccup blurted out in a frustrated tone, "these suitors...they're going to come here with the intention of betrothal, fully devoted to winning you over. I... I can't stand the thought of...of any one of them coming near you, o-or thinking that they even have a chance with you at all. I...I don't know that I'll be able to just sit back a-and watch that." Hiccup averted his eyes to the trail of wisps before them once more. As he confessed his feelings, he realized how awful it probably sounded to her, and why it might cause her to question his trust in her. He sighed heavily before continuing.

"I...I'm sorry," Hiccup went on, "I know that sounds terrible...it really has nothing to do with you, or my trust in you, or anything like that. It's me, okay, it's all me and my stupid insecurities, and my dumb brain that won't let me stop over-thinking everything, and my damn fear that...that you'll realize that I… that I'm not actually good enough for you." Merida furrowed her brow at Hiccup's explanation.

"Aye, yer bum's oot th' windae Hiccup," Merida replied flatly. Hiccup shook his head in both confusion and amusement.

"What," he questioned.

"Yer full o' it," Merida reiterated, "yer talkin' nonsense. Not good enough for me?... Do ye really feel that way? Do ye think I'd be with ye right now if I thought for a moment that ye weren't good enough? … Would I love ye as I do?"

"W-well... n-no," Hiccup stammered, "I... I suppose not... b-but..."

"But nothin'," Merida replied firmly, "ye have my heart Hiccup, that's a permanent lock...it cannae be undone. No matter what happens or what the bloody suitors say or do. I chose ye already Hiccup, ye n' no one else." Hiccup nodded as he silently pondered all she had said. Only hours ago, he had been the one reassuring her about coming forward, it was almost ironic that she'd basically done the same for him now regarding his own insecurities. He smiled to himself at the thought.

"Oh, this coming from the girl who is afraid to even mention me to her mother," Hiccup replied mischievously.

"That's different and ye know it," Merida replied flatly.

"How is it any different," Hiccup questioned.

"Because," Merida replied, "I…I fear bein' separated despite our fate… that despite all our efforts, ye n' I will be forced to part, just as Mairead and Hiccup the first. There is nothin' more heartbreaking." Hiccup took note of the emotion in her voice as she spoke.

"No matter what happens," Merida continued, "my heart will always be yours...no one can ever change that, not the suitors, nor the Lords, not even my mother. I will always love ye Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, ye n' no other. If I ever were to lose ye, I fear the heartache that is sure to follow, because I'm certain that my heart will ne'er stop lovin' ye." Hiccup, struck wordless by her heartfelt declaration, sat silently behind her, gazing down upon her bright red curls, his heart nearly bursting from his chest with every word that she had spoken.

Without a word, he reached in front of her, he placed his hand softly upon her opposite cheek and gently turned her head toward him. Merida looked up at him with her blue eyes sparkling but a somewhat somber expression upon her face. The very sight of her caused his breath to hitch, and the knowledge that she loved him so unconditionally made his heart feel full. He smiled down on her lovingly as he leaned forward, softly pressing his forehead against hers. He gazed at her longingly as his hand slowly moved from her cheek to her hair, his rough fingers gently winding through her long curly locks as his hand came to rest at the back of her head. Merida shivered slightly at his touch causing Hiccup's grin to widen slightly. He leaned toward her as he gently guided her forward. He pressed his lips to hers in a soft yet sultry kiss.

Merida eagerly reciprocated his actions. She reached up around his neck, her delicate fingers moving through his mahogany-colored hair, causing a flurry of shivers down Hiccup's spine. After a few moments, Hiccup pulled back from her slightly, keeping his forehead pressed to hers as he gazed at her lovingly.

"I love you Merida of Dunbroch," Hiccup said softly, "and I'm just...so... honored, a-and a-amazed... and grateful that you love me like you do, that you chose me."

"There is no other choice as far as I'm concerned," Merida replied with a smile. Hiccup smirked at her answer.

"Oh, is that how it is," he replied playfully, "you just settled for me...is that it. Of all the terrible choices you had, I was just the least terrible."

"Hiccup," Merida laughed, "that's not what I meant and ye know it!" She turned back to the trail of wisps.

"Oh...okay princess," Hiccup said flatly, "if you say so." Hiccup turned back to the trail of wisps as well. He realized that they had reached a part of the forest that he hadn't been to before. He looked around curiously as Toothless trudged on.

"So," he sighed, "where do you think the wisps are leading us this time?"

"I dinnae know," Merida replied. She remained quiet for a few moments as she pondered the events from earlier. Though she had stressed to Hiccup the importance of following the wisps over trying to figure out why Fishlegs could not see them, her curiosity over the incident still remained.

"Hiccup...why do ye suppose Fishlegs couldnae see th' wisp," Merida questioned. Hiccup remained quiet for a few moments as he pondered how to answer her question.

"I'm not sure exactly," Hiccup replied, "it could be that Fishlegs doesn't have any kind of history or connection with Dunbroch, like you and I do." Merida nodded as she thought over his answer. If Hiccup's theory was indeed correct, then what did that mean for Eret? Did this mean he truly was connected to Dunbroch, just as they had suspected?

She knew for certain that wisps don't appear to anyone randomly. Wisps had a purpose after all, to lead one to one's fate. She did not doubt that they were leading her and Hiccup to their fate. But it occurred to her, not only did Eret see a wisp, but that he had seen the same wisp that had appeared to her and Hiccup specifically. What did that say for Eret? Was he also meant to follow the wisps? Was her and Hiccup's fate somehow intertwined with Eret's? Or were they all being led to the same fate? The implications of this train of thought were interesting to say the least.

"If that's so," Merida questioned, "do ye suppose that we might be right aboot Eret? Do ye think he truly does have a connection to Dunbroch just as we suspect? Hiccup remained quiet for a long moment before answering.

"Uh… ya know…I think…uh that it's uh…a pretty good possibility actually." Merida looked up at him curiously. Hiccup could clearly see that she had a million ideas swirling around in her head on the subject. He felt somewhat guilty keeping what he knew to himself.

"Can ye imagine," Merida replied, "if his mother was actually taken from Dunbroch? What if she was even taken in the same raid as my aunt Isla? What if she knew her? What if they were friends?"

Hiccup's feelings of guilt only multiplied with Merida's barrage of questions and intrigue over the possibilities of Eret's connection to Dunbroch. He was fighting with himself, not wanting to break Eret's confidence nor leave Merida in the dark. Hiccup remained quiet as he pondered what to do. He decided rather than just blurt it all out, perhaps he could do a little digging on his own, maybe drop some hints here and there, to sort of get her opinion on all of this.

"That's an interesting take on it actually," Hiccup replied, "did your mom happen to mention anything about others being taken in the raid?"

"Well….no…not specifically," Merida replied.

"What about here in the actual village of Dunbroch," Hiccup asked, "were there any people taken in raids here?"

"I dinnae know," Merida replied, "it was a very long war though, I would nae be at all surprised." Hiccup nodded as he silently pondered this for a moment.

"You said before that your mom believes the invaders came for Isla specifically," Hiccup replied, "because she was betrothed to your father, the future king at the time."

"Aye," Merida replied questioningly.

"Was anyone else from the royal family targeted or taken," Hiccup questioned. Merida furrowed her brow at his inquiry.

"Like who," she questioned.

"I don't know," Hiccup replied with a shrug, "siblings? Cousins? Close friends?

"My father is an only child," Merida replied, "and I've ne'er heard tales of any o' the royal family bein' targeted besides Isla."

"Huh," he muttered as he pondered her words. The wheels in his head would not stop turning at this point. There was something he was missing here, something that might tie all of this together, but it seemed to be just beyond him.

Suddenly Toothless let out an agitated grunt. He shook his head as if something were bothering him.

"You okay bud," Hiccup asked as he sat up straight. Toothless continued to act strange, whining and grunting and acting as if he were dazed. Hiccup pulled tight on the reins bringing the dragon to a halt. He released Merida and leapt down from the saddle.

"Toothless what's going on bud," he asked in concern as he gently patted him on the neck. Merida watched curiously, she turned her eyes to the trail of wisps. The trail continued through the trees ahead and disappeared beyond a small ridge. She had been wondering if the wisps were leading them to where she thought, but now she was sure. She turned her eyes back to Toothless.

"I think it's the magic," she said aloud. Hiccup looked up to her curiously.

"Magic," he questioned. Merida nodded as she swung her leg over the side of Toothless and slid down to the ground. She headed over to Hiccup.

"Angus acted this way too," she replied, "I think Toothless is sensitive to the magic."

"Does that mean….what I think it means" Hiccup questioned cautiously.

"I think I know where they are leading us," Merida interrupted, "but we should probably go the rest of the way on foot." Hiccup nodded and then turned his attention back to Toothless.

"Listen bud," he said, " I need you to stay put okay...Merida and I will be back I promise." Toothless whined a little in protest, but then sat on his haunches.

"Stay outta trouble," Hiccup replied. Hiccup grabbed his bag from Toothless' saddle and flung it over his shoulder. He then came back to Merida. He gazed at her and smiled.

"Ready," he asked. She nodded with a smile.

"Okay," Hiccup held his hand out. She gently slipped her hand in his, interlocking their fingers. They continued to follow the wisps through the trees. Merida gazed ahead with determination on her face.

"You think they are leading us to the witch," Hiccup asked, "don't you?"

"I do," Merida replied, "if I'm right the cottage will be just beyond the ridge." Hiccup nodded.

"Do you think she'll have the answers we're looking for," Hiccup asked.

"I hope so," she sighed.

As they reached the top of the ridge, there before them was the old cottage of the witch. And just as Merida hoped, the trail of wisps ended at her door.

"I knew it," she exclaimed. She started to run ahead, but was stopped suddenly when Hiccup grasped her hand tightly in his. She looked back at him questioningly. He gazed at her with a slightly hesitant expression on his face. He couldn't explain his trepidation, or the uneasy feeling that seemed to pervade his mind. Finding the witch to shed light on their grandparents spell had always been one of their top priorities, but now being practically on her doorstep, Hiccup began to have second thoughts. Merida gazed back at him in concern.

"What's wrong," she asked. Hiccup sighed slightly before answering.

"Are you sure about this," Hiccup questioned.

"Of course I am," Merida replied firmly, "who better to tell us aboot' the spell than a bonafide witch?"

"Yeah, I know," Hiccup replied, "but she's still a witch. I mean, do you really trust her?"

"She's just a harmless old witch Hiccup," Merida replied.

"I'd hardly call a woman who can turn your mother and brothers into bears harmless," Hiccup replied. Merida nodded.

"I see yer point," Merida replied, "but that time was different." He gazed at her skeptically.

"Last time I came, I asked her for a spell," Merida replied, "this time we are only asking about a spell that's already been done." Hiccup sighed slightly

"If you say so," Hiccup replied hesitantly.

"Don't ye trust me," she smirked. Hiccup rolled his eyes as he smirked back at her.

"With my life," Hiccup sighed once more, as he reached for her hand, "witches who turn people into bears...that I'm not so sure about." Merida chuckled under her breath at his comment.

They continued on hand in hand to the cottage. As they reached the door they paused and glanced at each other nervously. Merida turned to the door and raised her hand to knock, but before she could do so, the door creaked open on its own. She glanced nervously at Hiccup. He glanced back at her with eyebrows raised. She shrugged as she smiled nervously. They could hear a woman's voice humming from inside the cottage.

Merida took a deep breath, then turned back to the door and cautiously stepped over the threshold. Hiccup followed close behind.

"Come in...come in," the woman's voice called out. The little old woman stepped from behind a large cauldron, and eyed the two curiously.

"It's about time ye two showed up," the old woman said with a grin. Merida and Hiccup glanced at each other in confusion. Merida turned back to the witch curiously.

"Pardon me mam," Merida said, "but are ye saying ye've been expectin' us?"

"The wil o' the wisps," the old woman replied, "they tell me what was and what's to come." Hiccup furrowed his brow at the old woman's words.

"Wait…are you saying that you can speak to the wisps," Hiccup questioned in surprise.

"Dinnae be ridiculous," the old woman replied, "no one can speak to a wisp." Hiccup shook his head in confusion.

"B-but...but you just said..."Hiccup stuttered.

"I said the wisps speak to me," the witch replied, "not the other way around."

"Well if they told ye we were comin'," Merida questioned, "did they also tell ye why as well?"

"Most people believe the wil o' the wisp are just guides that lead ye to yer fate," the old woman went on, ignoring Merida's question.

"Aye," Merida groaned, "we know what a wisp is."

"But most people are wrong," the woman said bluntly, "they are much more than that." Merida and Hiccup glanced at each other in intrigue.

"They are ancient spirits tied to the land. They know all, they see all, they hear all. They are the history keepers and the future foreseers.

A wisp will not appear or speak to just anyone," the witch continued, "only to those that have magic about them."

"Magic," Merida questioned, "neither of us knows magic."

"Don't ye," the woman asked knowingly, ye've had great magic about ye all of yer life...born with it on yer very soul. The wisps know. Ye've seen them as a child did ye not." Merida gazed at the old witch in surprise.

"How did ye...how did ye know that," Merida asked.

"The wisps," she replied," if ye listen they will tell ye all ye need to know, there be no secret unknown by a wisp."

"But if that's true then why did they appear to me," Hiccup replied, "I'm not from here and I've never had anything to do with magic in my life...well, besides now."

"Ye are the same, ye n' she," the woman replied motioning to him and Merida, "both yer souls marked by magic in yer mother's wombs." Hiccup furrowed his brow as he pondered the witch's words.

"As far as where yer from...ye cannae know where yer from if ye dinnae first know where ye've been." Hiccup raised an eyebrow at her comment.

"What does that even mean," Hiccup questioned.

"Ugh…enough," Merida huffed, "we've come to ye for answers n' ye've given us nothin' but riddles n' vague clues thus far. We haven't even asked ye what we've come tae ask."

"Ye dinnae even know what ye came for," the old woman replied, "the wisps led ye...did they not?"

"Of course the wisps led us," Merida replied impatiently, "ye know that already."

"Aye," the old woman said," n' th' wisps have their own reasons for leadin' ye here." Hiccup could see Merida's frustration growing as the witch spoke.

"Okay, okay," Hiccup intervened, "none of this is going anywhere...we're just talking in circles." He pulled his notebook from his bag and flipped to the drawing from the standing stones. He held it out to the woman.

"There," he said pointing to his sketch, " what can you tell us about this?" She took the book from him and studied the image for a few moments. She looked back up at Hiccup curiously.

"Ye've been to th' standing stones already then," the woman replied. He nodded his head. She remained quiet for a long moment as if pondering her answer.

"Well," Hiccup asked.

"It's a binding spell," the old woman replied simply as she handed the book back to Hiccup. She eyed both Merida and Hiccup carefully.

"Okay," Hiccup replied with a nod, "that much we figured, but we want to know the purpose of this particular spell and what exactly such a spell entails." The old woman walked past the two and made her way to a wooden rocking chair by the fire.

"Binding spells are typically performed to gain things; things like wealth, bravery, love, luck. They are the most simple spells in nature," the witch explained, "but that particular spell… is the most powerful binding spell there is." Both Merida and Hiccup glanced at each other briefly, then turned back to the witch in intrigue.

"Tis a soul binding spell," the witch explained.

"Soul binding," Merida and Hiccup said simultaneously.

"Like I said, there are many binding spells, used for many things," the witch continued, she looked toward Hiccup once more, "ye should know all about them yer a Viking are ye not!" Hiccup shook his head.

"I…I have heard of binding spells before," Hiccup replied, "but it's an ancient practice, it's not really done anymore." The witch raised an eyebrow at him curiously.

"Have th' Berkans forgotten their magical roots?" Hiccup looked at her in both surprise and confusion.

"Magical roots," Hiccup questioned, "w-what do you….wait...I…I never told you anything about me, h-how did you know that I'm from Berk or even that I'm a Viking?"

"The wisps foretold a Berkan returning," she replied simply, "An Adag who would set things right." Hiccup's eyes widened with the witch's words.

"Y-you know about Adag," Hiccup questioned.

"Of course," the witch replied, "I told ye," the wisps know all…and they will give ye all th' answers ye seek if ye just listen. Ye o' all people should be able to do so." Hiccup furrowed his brow as he pondered her words.

"M-me," Hiccup stuttered, "w-what exactly do you mean, me of all people."

"Because yer a Viking," the witch said as if it were common knowledge, "and not just any Viking, a Berkan Viking." Hiccup just stared at her in complete confusion.

"Okay…" Hiccup sighed, "uh can we just pretend for a moment that I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about…a-and just elaborate on that so I can really grasp what it is your saying." The witch sighed slightly.

"Vikings have always dabbled in magic," the witch replied nonchalantly, "particularly Berkan Vikings. Every Viking rune is a form of a spell. Why do ye think that ye carve them into yer weapons, yer ships, yer homes. Why do ye mark yer armor and even yer skin with such runes?" Hiccup shrugged.

"I…I just thought it was tradition," Hiccup replied.

"Tell me," she replied gazing at him in interest, "what did ye notice most about the standing stones?" Hiccup thought for a moment.

"The symbols on them," he replied, "they looked Viking, like the ancient runes."

"Wait," Merida interrupted, "are ye sayin' that the standing stones were once used by Vikings?"

"Not just used by," the woman smiled, "built." Merida furrowed her brow and gazed at the old woman dubiously.

"How is that possible," Merida questioned skeptically, "the stones have been there for thousands o' years, long before the Vikings ever came here, they were built by ancient Scots."

"Ancient Scots...ancient Berkans...what's the difference," the old woman shrugged. She glanced in Hiccup's direction with a knowing look in her eye. She could see he was pondering her words.

"What does that even mean," Merida questioned. Hiccup turned to Merida suddenly as an intriguing thought popped into his head.

"We weren't always from Berk," Hiccup replied, "my ancestors were nomads once, long before the dragon war, and even long before we hunted dragons. Our clan traveled the world, settling many different places and moving on to the next until we settled in Berk. There are some ancient maps and travel logs in the archive. I mean, a lot of it has been lost over the years but we still have some decent records of our ancestors travels." He turned back to the witch.

"Was Dunbroch one of the places that we settled in," he asked her enthusiastically. The witch smirked slightly as she shook her head.

"No..."she replied simply, "Dunbroch is where Berk began." Hiccup stared at her in disbelief. His mind was racing as he tried to wrap his head around the words the witch had uttered.

"O-okay…hold on…a-are you saying that my clan was originally...from Dunbroch," he questioned.

"Aye," the witch replied, "yer people have deep ties to this land, both magical and historical." Hiccup gazed at her with wide eyes. He could feel his heart beat increase as the possibilities of such a revelation raced through his mind.

"W-what," he said with a nervous chuckle, "okay, s- so…you're telling me that Dunbroch is where my ancient ancestors came from? That…that we are… what…some sort o-of a…a lost clan of Dunbroch?" The witch nodded. Hiccup gazed at her wordlessly, dumbfounded by her apparent revelation. All at once the words of Mairead's prophecy ran through his mind once more.

The House of Adag is lost, exiled and forgotten. it is said an Adag will lead them home, but only a link forged by both clans will renew their bond.

He turned instantly to Merida who looked equally stunned by this mind blowing information.

"Adag," Hiccup said in a dumbfounded tone. He gazed at Merida, excitedly, she gazed back at him wordlessly in apparent shock.

"A lost clan, just like Mairead said," Hiccup went on, "exiled and forgotten! It has to be Adag." Merida remained silent as she pondered Hiccup's sudden hypothesis.

"Maybe that's why it looked so much older than we expected," Hiccup went on, "maybe it wasn't land given to Halvar the Terrible for getting rid of the dragons! Maybe it was ours to begin with!"

"If it's so then that means our theory about ye bein' a Lord might actually be right after all," Merida replied. Hiccup nodded.

"And maybe the banishment of my people after the fact doesn't even matter!"

"Aye but we know nothin' o' the people of Adag," Merida replied, "I …I mean, why did they leave Dunbroch to begin with? Why was the village abandoned? What became of clan Adag?" Hiccup remained quiet as he thought over Merida's questions.
He remembered the dark feelings that he'd felt in Adag. The feelings of loss and sorrow that had nearly consumed him. It was clear to him that something tragic had taken place in Adag. Perhaps, the tragedy is what sent clan Adag into exile.

"Mairead said that this was all bigger than them, bigger than us, they were just the start of it," Hiccup remembered aloud, "there has to be something more to all of this. Something terrible happened in Adag, and my ancestors were a part of it. Maybe that's what all of this is about."

"If it's true Hiccup," Merida replied, "yer clan is possibly one of the oldest clans of Dunbroch, one of the first among the clans." Hiccup turned to the witch curiously once more.

"You said Vikings built the standing stones…and used them," Hiccup inquired, "does that mean…"

"The ancestors of yer clan once were well versed in magic," the witch replied, "even feared once for it."

"Feared," Hiccup questioned.

"There are tales of an ancient Lord who could control beasts, and even nature itself. Tis even said he had the ability to conjure wisps. As ye can imagine, that clan was feared by those who didn't understand them." Both Merida and Hiccup glanced at each other in intrigue. Hiccup's mind inadvertently drifted to both times that it seemed the wisps had appeared at his beckoning. Though he had not been able to replicate it, the irony was not lost on him that his alleged ancient ancestors might have harnessed this ability. It certainly was intriguing to say the least. He silently pondered what this might mean regarding the spell they had come to investigate. He had come to believe that the spell their grandparents had cast had caused the wisps to lead them to the truth, and the possibility that the spell had in fact created the blood connection to Dunbroch for Hiccup the first. But if what the witch said was indeed true, this was an unnecessary step.

"Aye, but what has it all to do with Mairead or Hiccup the first," Merida questioned, "or the spell, or anything else that we've discovered?"

"I don't know," Hiccup replied, "but think about it. Adag looked ancient, like it was much older than our grandparents time. When we were there I…I felt broken…like I lost someone. Maybe I was feeling my ancestors loss."

"It's certainly sounds compelling," Merida replied, "but what of our grandparents and th' spell." Hiccup turned back to the witch.

"Can you tell us more about this specific spell," Hiccup asked, "this...soul binding spell?" The witch smiled slightly.

"Normally a binding spell is simple," the witch replied, "it's the binding of two or more runes for a reason, or specific outcome, be it health, luck, strength, love...but this spell...this spell is a bit more complicated then that." Hiccup and Merida both gazed at the witch in intrigue.

"This spell requires two people who share the deepest bond there is," the witch explained.

"Love," Merida questioned.

"Deeper," the witch replied, "the bond that can only be found between true soulmates."

"Soulmates," Merida and Hiccup said in unison. They glanced at each other briefly and turned back to the witch.

"Soulmates, two people whose souls connect on a level so deep that it is completely unexplainable, and undeniable. They are like two halves of the same soul. The bond between soul mates is strong normally, but with a soul binding spell it's even stronger." Merida and Hiccup both gazed at the witch in intrigue.

"The ritual is performed on sacred ground," the witch explained, "the runes must be carved into sacred stones."

"A place like the standing stones then," Hiccup replied. The witch nodded in confirmation.

"The two must exchange a token of pure iron that depicts the chosen runes as well as a physical token.

"A lock of hair," Merida questioned.

"Most likely," the old woman agreed, "in most binding spells the runes themselves are bound for the desired effect. With this spell, the runes are just a tool used to bind the souls for all eternity."

"So it's basically like a…a love spell," Hiccup replied questioningly. The witch shook her head.

"This is far from a harmless love spell," she replied firmly, "whoever performs it must truly understand the implications. The souls will be bound for eternity through life and death and even rebirth. The magic remains on the soul for many lifetimes, until the end of time itself.
Soul mates are already destined, they already call to one another," the witch continued, "the spell can make it easier for them to find each other by strengthening their bond; to make it so that the soul shines like a beacon to the other.
However, it's not guaranteed in every life that a soul will find its mate, in which case, each soul will constantly seek the other out in a state of unrest. A soul bound by this spell would only have peace if it finds its mate. Sometimes they can go lifetimes before finding the other again. It would be lifetimes of feeling incomplete, lost, and dissatisfied; like an exile, forever searching for their long lost home." Hiccup pondered the witches words. She had basically described how he felt most of his life, up until now. For as long as he could remember, he had always felt lost, like he didn't belong, he had always felt restless and dissatisfied. It wasn't until he met Merida that it all began to change. Now he knew that he had finally found what he'd always been missing, a piece of his heart, the other half of his soul.

"How would you know," Hiccup questioned fervently, "how would the soulmates know that they found each other in another life?"

"They would know," the witch replied, "maybe not with their minds, but to the soul it is undeniable. It would be an intense spiritual and emotional experience. Upon meeting It would feel immediately familiar, like returning to a place you knew as a child. Though unexplainable, you would feel that you knew this person inside and out. It would feel as if you had known them for a long time. The soul would finally be at peace, as if it had finally found the place where it truly belongs. And the moment you touched them, be it holding hands or even a kiss..." she paused a moment and glanced between him and Merida. "Well, some describe it as being caught in a storm or being struck by lightning."
Hiccup felt his face flush as the witch's words sunk into his brain. Everything she had described was exactly as it had been when he'd met Merida.

"What about dreams," Merida asked suddenly, almost reading Hiccup's mind.

"Sleep is a time a soul is most connected to the spiritual realm," the witch replied, "it may be the easiest time for the bound souls to call to one another, even before meeting in the physical world." The witch gazed at Merida. Her eyes fixed on the pendent that hung from her neck.

"The charm that is exchanged is an important element," she replied as she stood from her chair, she then walked over to Merida and grabbed the medallion and unexpectedly pulled it forward to inspect it closer. Merida gazed down at her questioningly. "It may act as a spiritual conduit, if it's wearer be its true owner."

"What's that supposed to mean," Merida questioned in irritation as she pulled her pendent back from the witch. The witch smiled up at her.

"It means, if yer soul be the one that cast the spell, if yer soul be marked by the binding spells magic, then the charm would aid in yer souls search...," she turned and stared up at Hiccup with knowing eyes, "especially if the other be worn by its mate." Both Hiccup and Merida glanced at each other briefly and then turned back to the witch.

"Some say that the moment the charm is found by its true owner, that it may spark a chain of events that may lead the souls to each other."
The old woman turned away and headed into the other room leaving Merida and Hiccup speechless. They glanced at each other simultaneously unsure of what to say or do, or even what to think. Merida clutched her pendent tightly in her fingers.

"As crazy as all of this sounds," Hiccup said, "it...it feels like it makes sense." Merida remained speechless still reeling from the revelation.

"So I am...and you are...we are them," she stuttered.

"I…I think we are them, but still us... if that makes sense," Hiccup replied.

"Aye," the witch said knowingly as she re-entered the room with a large old dusty book.

"Yer hearts, minds and body's be yer's," the witch confirmed, "but yer souls ...yer souls be theirs reborn. Souls reborn with the magic from the binding spell, and the sole task of finding each other." She dropped the book upon a table that seemed to have appeared out of thin air.

"So you're saying that our great, great grandparents were soulmates," Hiccup replied, "and they cast this soul-binding spell, to what?….find each other again in another life." The witch nodded in confirmation.

"They knew their time together was limited," Merida replied almost as if explaining it to herself, "the spell wasn't tae keep them from parting…it was to lead them back together again." Hiccup turned to her and took her hand gently in his.

"To lead…us… back to each other," Hiccup replied, "it's always been about you and me Merida…everything has always been about you and me."

"And now that ye've finally found each other," the witch went on, "ye can get to work."

"Work," Hiccup questioned.

"Aye," the witch replied, "fulfillin' yer fate."

"But ye said the sole purpose of the spell was for us to find each other," Merida questioned.

"Aye," the witch replied, "the sole purpose o' the spell was to bring yer souls together, but yer fate is bigger than that. In all yer past lives ye failed to fulfill yer true fate."

"Hold on, past lives," Hiccup questioned, "as in more than one?"

"Aye," the witch confirmed, "tis not yer first rebirth." Hiccup raised his eyebrows at the witch in surprise.

"A-and our true fate is… what exactly," Merida questioned fervently.

"Ye already know that," the witch replied, "to renew the bond between the clans, to bring Adag home. Tis yer true purpose, the reason the wisps have led ye here." Both Merida and Hiccup gazed at her in intrigue.

"Ye both are meant to set a wrong right again," the witch went on, "to heal the wounds of a people torn by hate and greed. To lead a lost people home again."

"It's just as we thought," Hiccup said as he turned back to Merida, "we have to reunite Berk and Dunbroch, like our grandparents tried to do."

"The only way to mend a bond torn by pride and hate...is with love, the witch went on. The fate of our clans is on yer shoulders. Now ye must take this book. It is the lost history of this land, the one only known to the wisps. Ye must find why the bond was broke in order to fix it."

"Wait," Merida replied, " yer not gonna help us."

"I have helped ye," the witch replied, "ye need to do the rest yerself...tis yer destiny." The old woman shoved the book in Merida's arms and then shooed the both of them toward the door. Thinking quickly Hiccup grabbed onto the doorframe before she forced them out.

"Hold on," Hiccup said, "I…I just have another question. The witch rolled her eyes and sighed slightly. She paused and stood to the side of the door, letting the pair remain in the cottage.

"So it is the spell right," Hiccup questioned, "that's caused the wisps to lead us?"

"Aye," the witch replied, "the wisps show themselves to lead each of your souls to find the other, and then to yer destined fate."

"A-and you said that wisps only appear to those marked by magic," Hiccup went on.

"Aye," the witch replied questioningly.

"So the wisps that led Merida and I here," Hiccup questioned, "should they only be visible to Merida and I because we are directly affected by the spell…or can anyone marked by magic see them?" The witch furrowed her brow at Hiccup's question.

"See uh, my friends from Berk came here after me," Hiccup explained, "one of them can see the wisps, but the other can't see them at all. I'm curious as to why that is?" The witch remained quiet as she gazed up at him. She seemed to be thinking heavily on his question.

"The spell was cast by ye in a previous life," the witch replied, "only the souls that cast the spell should be able tae see the specific wisps that are meant tae lead them, it should be impossible for yer friend to see them…unless of course…..."

"Unless of course what," Hiccup questioned fervently. The witch shook her head.

"Tis impossible," the old woman replied, "unheard of, the binding of souls is only between soulmates….if a third soul was there it'd be inconsequential." Hiccup furrowed his brow at the old woman's comment.

"A third soul," Hiccup repeated.

"Tis unheard of," the witch repeated firmly.

"If it's so unheard of," Hiccup questioned, "then why can my friend see the wisps?" Merida gazed at Hiccup questioningly.

"I dinnae kin," the witch replied, "it should nae be possible."

"Okay…okay…hypothetically," Hiccup replied, "if a third soul was there when they cast the spell, what could be the reason that the third soul is also affected by the spell?"

"Well, I uh," the witch said, "I suppose if the third soul was intertwined closely with either one or even both of the soul mates, it might be possible. But tis highly unlikely."

"Intertwined," Hiccup questioned, "intertwined…how…exactly?"

"I dinnae kin," the witch said firmly, "perhaps that is part o' the truth that ye two need tae find on yer own!" With that, the witch proceeded to push them out the door.

"And don't forget," she smiled, "the wisps will lead you where ye need to be."
She shut the door quickly. Merida quickly pushed it open again to reveal nothing more than an empty cottage.

"Oh I hate it when she does that," Merida groaned.

"Third soul," Hiccup muttered to himself as he tried to make sense of what the old woman had said. Merida look up at him curiously.

"Do ye suppose Eret has somethin' tae do with all o' this too," Merida questioned. Hiccup remained quiet as he thought over Merida's question. His mind drifted to his pervious discussion with Eret.

"This symbol Hic," Eret repeated taking the paper from Hiccup and holding it up, "this exact symbol is the one on my pendant!"

"your mother told you that you come from a long line...that you have prestigious roots. If this all turns out to be true...your father might very well be a part of the royal family of Dunbroch."

The moment I met Merida...I felt connected to her somehow. I... I felt like I... I already knew her," Eret explained, "it was like I've known her forever. It... it's everything about her...how she speaks, the way she moves, her facial expressions, how she carries herself...everything about her is familiar."
…

As Hiccup thought of this, what the witch had just told them repeated in his mind.
…

"I suppose if the third soul was intertwined closely with either one or even both of the soul mates, it might be possible. But tis highly unlikely."
…

Clearly there was a connection between Eret and Merida, a connection between their families. But it was more than that. Now it seemed that somehow Eret might also be connected to Hiccup and Merida's true fate as well. Try as he might Hiccup could not quite figure out exactly what that could mean.

He was sure there was something he was missing, something significant that would connect this all together.

But how," Hiccup asked nearly to himself, "how would he have anything to do with the spell or our grandparent's…or the mystery of Adag?"

"Unless….somehow he is the third soul affected by the spell," Merida replied, "as the witch said.

"Yeah but if my vision of the ritual was accurate," Hiccup replied, "then only Mairead and Hiccup the first were present, there was no third person." Merida remained quiet as she pondered all that Hiccup had said. She turned her eyes to the large dusty book in her arms.

"The lost history of Dunbroch," Merida repeated, "Hiccup this could hold all the answers we've been looking for...about everything. Maybe even the answers about Eret too if he's truly a part of all of this." Hiccup nodded at her suggestion. Without a word, Hiccup reached for her hand and gripped it tightly in his. She looked up at him and smiled.

"Do you know what this means Merida," Hiccup questioned as he gazed at her, "we were always meant to be together all this time. Our souls always knew it." He reached up with his opposite hand and gently caressed her soft cheek. Merida smiled warmly but he could see the worry in her eyes.

"Aye," she replied softly, "our souls are bound, but you heard what the witch said Hiccup." She could feel her eyes filling with tears as she spoke, "the binding spell doesn't guarantee we will be together! What if it's not enough, what if after everything, we still get separated? What if, what happened to our great, great grandparents still happens to us too?" Hiccup pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.

"It won't," he said firmly.

"You don't know that Hiccup," Merida replied.

"The witch said that soul mates could go lifetimes without finding one another," Hiccup replied, "but we already have found each other and as far as I'm concerned, all of this just proves what I've known in my heart from the moment we met. You and I are meant to be together. We aren't crazy and we didn't find each other just by chance. We were led Merida, by fate itself. We were led to each other for a reason and nothing is going to come between us."

"But Hiccup," Merida replied, what about the suitors and the lords...and…"

"None of that matters to me," Hiccup replied fervently, "I love you Merida and you love me right?"

Merida nodded, "yes I do, but.."

"Then that's all that matters," Hiccup interrupted, "we found each other right here and now...in this life, and I'll be damned before I ever let anything or anyone try to stop us from being together."

"How can you be so sure," Merida replied with worry in her voice, "when there are still so many things stacked against us."

Hiccup smiled confidently, "I have faith in us, and so did our great, great grandparents. That was the whole point of the binding spell. You said it yourself, the spell wasn't just some last ditch effort to stay together in that life, they cast the spell to ensure they'd find each other in the next. Our grandparents set all of this in motion so that we could find each other here and now. Don't you see, they still won Merida, and you and I are proof."

Hiccup brought his hand up to her beautiful face, he gently caressed her cheek as he gazed intently into her sky blue eyes, "you have always been the other half of me, the part of me I've been searching for my whole life. I was lost before, but now I finally found my way home…to you."

"Aye," Merida replied with tear-filled eyes, "I feel the same, it was like I've known ye all my life…just as I'm sure it was so for our grandparents…but they still lost each other in the end." Hiccup nodded as he pondered her words. He gazed at her for a long moment, as all they had just learned ran through his mind. His heart finally felt whole knowing that they were soul mates, but the worry in her eyes nearly threatened to break it.

"Maybe I lost you in a past life," Hiccup said in an emotion-filled tone, "but that's not this one, okay. In this life I will not lose you and I will not give up on us without a fight." He leaned closer to her.

"You have my word Merida," he whispered, "I won't ever stop fighting for us...okay." Merida nodded as she smiled up at him, as a single tear streamed down her cheek. She wished to be as hopeful as Hiccup, but the fear she had always felt would not relent. Knowing what they now knew, Merida began to wonder if her fear was residual from having lost him before. According to the witch, this wasn't even the first time they'd been reborn. Maybe they had lost each other many times over in their past lives. Perhaps her fear was her soul's way of warning her of the very real possibility of such a heartbreaking end. Hiccup gently wiped the tear away with his thumb as he gazed at her reassuringly. He smiled slightly.

"You know… I have a feeling that this whole soul mate thing gives me a pretty decent advantage over the competition," Hiccup said. Merida chuckled lightly despite her tears.

"Oh do ye now," she replied as she raised an eyebrow at him. Hiccup nodded as he smiled back at her.

"How many guys can actually say that they were literally born for you," Hiccup replied.

"Aye," Merida replied, "I think I liked it better when ye didn't think ye were good enough for me, ye were less smug then." Hiccup raised his eyebrows at her comment.

"Smug," Hiccup repeated in mock offense, "you think, I….I'm being smug." Merida smiled back at him mischievously.

"Oh…ye know…if the shoe fits," Merida replied haughtily.

"Really," Hiccup replied in amusement, "alright…I see how it is….touché princess." Merida chuckled at his comment.

"Come on," Hiccup said as he held his hand out to her, "let's get back to Toothless, it's getting late and We have to get you home." Merida nodded as she slipped her hand into his.