Chapter 12
...
Dunbroch
Fergus sat across from Lord Dingwall in the meeting hall awaiting the Queen's arrival so that they could get down to the business of why Lord Dingwall had come to visit Dunbroch in the first place. As the men patiently awaited Elinor's arrival they had fallen into a heated discussion about the mysterious and quite elusive dragon that Lord Dingwall claimed to have spotted on several occasions, the most recent being a few days prior flying around the top of the Fire Falls.
"I'm tellin' ye Fergus," Lord dingwall continued, "that beast has it in fur me, he followed me from mah land tae yers!" Fergus chuckled slightly in spite of himself.
"Aye, ah know, ah know," Fergus replied dismissively as he took a swig of ale.
"It's true, ah tell ye," Lord Dingwall insisted, "he's black as night 'n' bigger then a horse, wi' demon wings!"
"Aye, are ye sure ye haven't juist mistaken something fur it," Fergus questioned, "or mibbie ye had some ill hagus that didn't gree wi' ye?" Lord Dingwall glared at Fergus indignantly.
"Are ye gonnae blame haggis whin th' beast finally mak's a meal o' me," Lord Dingwall slammed his fist on the table in frustration as he spoke.
"Naw much o' a meal if you ask me," Fergus replied.
"Now see here," Dingwall began.
"Gentlemen, please," Elinor's firm voice bellowed into the hall interrupting their argument and causing both men to turn to her simultaneously. They both quickly stood as she made her way into the hall and over to the table. Fergus pulled the chair out for her and Elinor sat down. The two men then took their seats as well.
"What is all this shouting," she asked, "yer behaving like children."
"Aye, Ah am sorry yer majesty," Lord Dingwall replied apologetically, "Ah shouldnae have raised mah voice. His majesty and Ah was just discussing the dragon sighting.
"Ah am sorry as well dear," Fergus replied as he grinned sheepishly at his wife.
"Apology accepted," she replied regally, "now should we get on to the business o' why yer here Lord Dingwall."
"Aye," Lord Dingwall replied, "but shouldn't we wait for the princess to arrive?"
"Oh," Elinor replied, "I'm sorry Lord Dingwall, Merida won't be joining us, I didnae know ye required her presence. She had no lessons today so I let her go riding, I'm afraid she won't be back til dusk at least."
"This pertains to Merida then," Fergus questioned curiously.
"Aye," Lord Dingwall replied, "and her future marriage, or lack thereof." Both Fergus and Elinor glanced at each other with a look of concern.
"Now Lord Dingwall," Fergus replied, "ye know our decision."
"Aye, Ah know," Lord Dingwall replied dismissively, "yer allowing her to choose a husband for herself rather then the tradition of the Dunbroch games."
"With all due respect Dingwall," Fergus replied, "ye all agreed to this decision."
"Aye," Lord Dingwall replied, "five years ago we agreed, but yer daughter is now at the marrying age and still has yet to choose. Each of our sons have each called on her many times over these past years in hopes to win her heart before her hand. But she doesn't even give 'em the time o' day!" Elinor sighed as Lord Dingwall spoke.
"Now, I and the other lords have spoken about it and we are all concerned that the time is fast approaching that she should be wed, that the future of Dunbroch should be settled." Fergus leaned forward and ran his hand over his beard as he listened.
"Not only that," Dingwall went on, "but there is also concern that who she pick not be worthy of the throne. At this moment she's free to choose anyone. But we worry who that will be. I mean, what if she chooses a...a commoner or worse someone who's not even a Scot!"
"Lord Dingwall," Elinor replied, "with all due respect, my daughter has always been an excellent judge of character, I know whoever she choose would be worthy of her hand."
"But would he be worthy of the crown," Dingwall questioned, "there are many good men in the world, not all are fit to rule!" Fergus glared at Lord Dingwall in annoyance.
"Merida is fit to rule Lord Dingwall," Fergus replied firmly, "who she marries should be inconsequential."
"It's true she will be the queen," Dingwall replied, "but who she marries may influence her rule. It would be best if who she choose have Dunbroch's interest at heart." Fergus huffed impatiently.
"What exactly is it yer suggesting Lord Dingwall," Fergus questioned with a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"We all think it best that she still choose one of our sons," Dingwall replied, "now, she would still be free to choose but from the three suitors offered. It will ensure that a Scot remain on the throne. Her husband will be a Scot, and her heirs will be Scots." Both Fergus and Elinor glanced at one another with a look of concern on there faces."
"And if she chooses none of them," Fergus questioned.
"Then we will have a decision to discuss," Dingwall replied, "but we'll cross that bridge if it comes to that, won't we."
...
Berk
Astrid paced back and forth in the meeting hall with an annoyed look on her face. It had been nearly a week since she had returned from her honeymoon and there was still no sign of Hiccup and she was beginning to worry. But she was just as angry as she was worried. Leave it to Hiccup to do something as stupid as flying off to some unknown place alone without even leaving any indication of where he had gone or how to find him. Eret sat in a chair at the table following her with his eyes, with a concerned expression on his face.
"Maybe you should sit down love," Eret said with genuine concern in his voice, "just calm down a bit and try not be so stressed." Astrid rolled her eyes as she continued to pace.
"Stressed," she chuckled sarcastically, "why would I be stressed."
"Astrid," Eret pleaded.
"You know this is just like him Eret," she continued to rant, "I mean, I really thought I got through to him at the wedding, I thought great now we can all finally move on...but no, of course not! I can't even have a moment to be happy before Hiccup pulls this stupid stunt!"
"Astrid please," Eret stood from his place and made his way over to her. He gently grabbed her arm to stop her from pacing and then he gently pulled her back to him. He gazed at her lovingly for a long moment.
"Look, I know you're worried," Eret replied, "but Hiccup is perfectly capable of taking care of himself...and he's not alone, he has Toothless."
"Yeah but it's been over a week, Eret," Astrid replied, "he never takes that long on a damn scouting mission. Anything could have happened! I mean, for all we know he could have been captured or...or worse! This is exactly why I tell him that doing scouting missions alone without any back-up whatsoever is stupid! But does he ever listen to me? No! Of course not!"
"Well then it's on him," Eret said in frustration, "he's the one who left without telling you, he's the one who went off without leaving so much as a map or...or even a hint of where he's gone!"
"That's not the point though Eret! I mean, he's the chief of Berk," Astrid replied, "if he's gotten himself into trouble we have to go after him, whether it's his own fault or not, there is no other choice."
"Of course," Eret replied, "I know that. Of course we will go after him, but you don't need to...you need to stop stressing about him and whatever he's gotten himself into and just focus on yourself right now Astrid." He came up beside her and placed a hand gently on her middle. He smiled warmly at her as he gazed lovingly into her sapphire eyes.
"You have more pressing things to worry about now," he said gently, "and getting this worked up is not good for you. Please just try to calm down a bit love."
Astrid sighed, "I know, I know, I'm sorry. I...I'm just, I'm so angry that he left like he did, and right now I guess I'm just a little over emotional. Eret pulled her into his arms and held her tightly against him."
"It's alright love," Eret replied reassuringly, "we'll find him...I promise." She nodded as she lay her head upon his chest. She closed her eyes for just a moment as she allowed the sound of his beating heart to soothe her troubled mind if only slightly. He gently ran is fingers over her long bond plaited hair as he leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
"I really thought when we came back it would be a fresh start for all of us," she replied.
"It is," Eret replied as he gently lifted her chin to once again gaze into her eyes, "this is just a small setback is all." The door to the meeting hall suddenly opened and Fishlegs walked in. The two looked over at him.
"Oh hey guys," Fishlegs said nervously, as he entered the room. He glanced back and forth between the two of them in uncertainty.
"Uh...uh...Astrid you uh...you w-wanted to see me?" She pulled away from Eret and made her way over to Fish with a look of determination on her face.
"You need to tell me where he's gone Fish," Astrid demanded. Fishleg's cowered under the weight of Astrid's glare.
"I...I t-told you Astrid," he stuttered, "Hiccup went on a scouting mission to that new island he found." Astrid rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, I know what you told me," Astrid huffed, "now I need you to tell me the truth!" She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Fishlegs. Fishlegs began to perspire slightly as she continued to glare at him. Eret smirked at Fish as he crossed his arms over his chest. Nothing amused him more than his wife's ability to put the fear of God in a man's heart to make him talk. He had first hand experience after all, having been on the other end of her interrogation tactics himself.
"Oh I'd start talking if I was you Fish," Eret said smugly, "she's the acting Chief right now and lying to the Chief is treason...you wouldn't want to be accused of treason now would you Fish?"
"No," Fishlegs answered quickly, "I...I would never lie to you...Astrid I...I swear I...I'm telling you the truth!"
"The truth Fishlegs," she questioned skeptically as she raised an eyebrow at him, "the whole truth?"
"That is the truth Astrid," Fishlegs insisted, "he went back to that island he found." Astrid continued to glare at him causing a wave of nervousness to sweep over him.
"O-Okay, look,"Fish replied, "it's a little more than a scouting mission...uh...Hiccup d-discovered some sort of a...a link between Berk and...and D-dunBroch."
"A link," Astrid questioned in sudden intrigue, "what sort of link?"
"Apparently h-his great great grandfather had a map of Dunbroch hidden somewhere," Fishlegs went on, "he...he went back to...to retrace his grandfather's steps, to find out what happened to him there, and find out why his grandfather felt the need to hide all the evidence of having been to DunBroch." Astrid silently pondered Fishleg's words.
"Dunbroch," she repeated as she committed the name to memory."
"Yeah," Fish replied, "that was the name of the place on his grandfather's map."
"Did he tell you at all where it was, or how to get there," she questioned. Fish shook his head.
"No...not really," he replied, "Hiccup only mentioned that the island was about three days South of Berk by...by dragon." Astrid nodded as she took in the information.
"And this map," Astrid replied, "I'm assuming he took it with him." Fishlegs nodded.
"He took all the maps of Dunbroch," Fishlegs replied, "he didn't want you or...or anyone else to go after him, he...he said he needed to do whatever he was doing alone." Astrid sighed heavily.
"But you saw the map," Astrid replied slyly as she gazed at him intently, "didn't you Fish."
"Well y-yeah," Fish replied, "I...I saw the map." Astrid just smirked at him.
"No...no...now hold on," Fishlegs stuttered. Astrid nodded her head insistently.
"We are going after him Fish," she replied, "and since you've seen the island on the map, you're coming with us!"
"B-but Astrid," Fish whined, "if...if Hiccup finds out I told you all of this he'll kill me!"
"Well if you don't help me find this island," she nearly growled, "then I will kill you!" Fishlegs nodded feverently in understanding.
"Got it Chief," Fish gulped.
"Now hold on love," Eret replied, "I don't think you should go. Fish and I can handle this."
"Why not," she questioned in frustration as she put her hands on her hips. Eret just gave her a look. Astrid rolled her eyes.
"Look," Eret replied, "we don't know anything about this Dunbroch place, we don't know if their hostile or not. Or weather or not they captured Hiccup. It's too dangerous..."
"Are you kidding me," Astrid scoffed, "Ive been in worse situations than this...I think I can handle it!"
"Not in this state you haven't," Eret replied in frustration. Astrid glared at him as she crossed her arms over her chest. Eret sighed heavily.
"Look, Astrid," Eret replied, "I know exactly what you're capable of, I know you could handle this, but we don't exactly know what we are walking into and I...and I'll not risk losing you or the..." Astrid covered Eret's mouth quickly before he said another word and gave him an annoyed look. As she removed her hand from his mouth, Eret chuckled in spite of himself.
"Alright, alright love, look, all I'm saying is that it'd be better if you stayed here, I mean for all we know Hiccup's on his way back already. This way if Hiccup gets back before we do, you'll be here to ream him out," Eret continued, "Fish and I can check out this Dunbroch place. Besides we can't leave Berk without someone in charge."
"Fine," Astrid groaned in annoyance. She rolled her eyes as she turned back to Fishlegs.
"Better start preparing for a long journey Fish," Astrid replied smugly, "You and Eret will leave in the morning." Suddenly the three Vikings were distracted by the meeting hall door creaking opened. They looked up to see Valka enter the room.
"Astrid," Valka gazed at the young woman intently as she entered the room, "we need to talk."
"Okay," Astrid replied, "I'm listening."
"Alone preferably," Valka replied as she eyed the two men. Both Eret and Fish shifted their gaze back to Astrid. Astrid nodded to them both. Fish headed toward the door but Eret lingered a little longer. He gazed at her questioningly.
"It's okay," she insisted as she gazed up at him, "you go...we will talk more about this later." Eret nodded as he leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek, he then quickly exited the room.
"Well," Valka sighed, "marriage certainly has agreed with you Astrid, you're positively glowing." Astrid averted her eyes as she smiled subtly, a slight bush formed over her cheeks. She quickly shook off the tiny show of emotion and gazed back at Valka with resolve."
"What do you need to talk to me about," she asked firmly. Valka nodded.
"Hiccup," she replied simply. Astrid nodded. She crossed her arms over her chest once more and sighed heavily as she sank down into one of the chairs at the table. Valka sat down across from her.
"I know you've been up in arms about him leaving since you got back," Valka said, "but there is no need to worry."
"No need," Astrid replied skeptically, "you're son has been gone over a week without telling anyone where he's gone, or...or so much as a hint of how to find him and you don't think there is any need to worry." Valka nodded as she listened.
"I mean he doesn't even know the first thing about that place, what if something went wrong, what if the people captured him. He should've at least took some back-up with him. He's being stupid and reckless and he's not thinking about anyone else but himself!"
"I understand your frustration," Valka replied.
"No, you don't," Astrid replied. She sighed heavily as she shook her head.
"Look I get he's been messed up since Stoick...but it's been three years, not that he should be over it, but he needs to...to do what he has to do to move on, take responsibility as Chief and stop running off like this all the time, it's irresponsible and...and it's not fair to anyone else! He needs to move on, just like the rest of us had to!" Valka nodded in understanding.
"You know as well as I that it's not just Stoick that he needs to move on from," Valka replied. Astrid dropped her eyes as Valka spoke.
"I'm not saying this to hurt you Astrid, or blame you at all," Valka replied, "I'm saying it because it's true." Astrid remained quiet as she turned her eyes back to Valka.
"You broke his heart Astrid," Valka went on, "both of you did, though Hiccup will never admit it, it was broken nonetheless."
"Like he didn't break mine," Astrid replied angrily, "every time he pushed me away, or went off on some adventure leaving me to take care of everything else. Or when he shut me out every time I tried to get through to him after Stoick."
"I'm not trying to blame you Astrid," Valka reiterated, "and I'm not trying to say that Hiccup wasn't also at fault for how things turned out between you..."
"What am I supposed to do," Astrid huffed, "apologize for being happy? Hiccup is the one that took me and Eret as a betrayal...but we didn't do anything wrong! I'm not going to feel guilty about being happy anymore! I can't start over worrying about how everything I do makes him feel. That's not how I want to...to live my life, or start my marriage, or...or raise my family!"
"But that's exactly my point Astrid," Valka replied, "you have moved on, you've found your place, your happiness. Hiccup hasn't yet. He's still searching for something that's been missing for a long time, that's why he keeps going off like he does." Astrid sighed heavily as she continued to listen.
"Look Astrid, you know Hiccup better than anyone in Berk," Valka continued, "you know he doesn't always share his feelings openly. He keeps it all bottled up and pretends that he doesn't really care either way. But it still bothers him, he still feels incomplete, he still feels restless, and he's still trying to find his place."
"So what am I supposed to do then Valka," Astrid huffed, "turn a blind eye every time he takes off or...or continue to walk on egg shells around him until he finally moves on?"
"Maybe just allow him the time he needs to move on," Valka replied, "allow him the time he needs to find what he's always been searching for." Astrid nodded as she listened, but it would be a lie to say that Valka's statement didn't hurt.
As long as Astrid had known Hiccup. He'd always had a wandering heart, and a nomadic soul. He'd always been searching for something and he was never truly satisfied with whatever he found. He was always looking for something more than what he had, somewhere more than Berk, or maybe even someone other than her. Even though she was happy now, even though she seemed to have found where she truly belonged, the thought of how things ended with Hiccup still hurt.
He was her first love and she would have gone above and beyond for him but at some point she realized that what they had was not enough and that the two of them were simply not meant to be. She knew that if they stayed together, he would always be searching for something more, and she would always be waiting for that inevitable day that his search would end and he'd ultimately leave her. So she cut her losses and let him go. Although it hurt like hell, she knew in her heart that it was what was best for them both.
Even so, a part of her had hoped that breaking up with him would make him see that maybe everything he'd always been searching for had been his all along. She hoped that maybe he would realize the she was the end to his search. When that didn't happen her heart broke a little more, but she didn't stop living and she didn't run away. Though it hurt, she simply put it behind her.
Eret was a big part of her ultimately moving on. Eret had always been there for her as a friend, even when she was with Hiccup. He listened to her complain, he was a shoulder to cry on and a distraction to get her mind off things. After she and Hiccup broke up Eret remained by her side and the two only grew closer. What started as friendship, slowly became something more. She found herself smiling more when Eret was around, missing him when he was gone, and looking forward to spending more and more time with him.
"It wasn't long before Eret confessed his feelings for her and she to him. But they started their relationship in secret, because neither wanted to hurt Hiccup any more than he already had been. But despite her and Eret 's good intentions, their attempt to spare Hiccup anymore heartache blew up in their faces when Hiccup accidentally stumbled upon the two of them together in the woods.
Initially when Hiccup found out he was livid. He had accused her of cheating on him with Eret the whole time, and he'd accused Eret of intentionally coming between them. He thought that Eret was the reason they had broken up to begin with and no matter how much she and Eret defended themselves, Hiccup still felt betrayed. It was months before he would even speak to them which was hard on the entire team of riders. Eventually Hiccup came to accept the truth, but he didn't hide his dislike for Eret, and he never truly forgave him.
That aside, things were at least okay between them for a while, that is, until she announced her engagement to Eret. That seemed to put Hiccup over the edge and he spent more and more time away from Berk. This frustrated her more than anything, because she was the one left to deal with the duties of Chief.
Not only that, but even though she was moving on and she had every right to, she still felt guilty for hurting him and that infuriated her more than anything. She didn't want to feel guilty, she didn't want his reaction to bother her so much, she just wanted to be happy without having to think about how that made him feel.
Now here she was once again, still worried about Hiccup, still angry that he left Berk, and still annoyed that amidst her new start, she still had to put her happiness on hold because of him.
"What exactly are you asking of me Valka," Astrid questioned in an annoyed tone.
"Just give him more time," Valka replied, "before you send out a search party, Hiccup will be fine he knows what he's doing."
"I can't do that Valka," she scoffed, "I can't just leave him out there to fend for himself if there is even a remote possibility that he's gotten himself into trouble." Valka nodded in understanding. Astrid gazed at Valka for a long moment as she thought over all she had said.
"Do you honestly think that Hiccup going to this mystery island, this...this Dunbroch, is going to help him move on," Astrid questioned skeptically, "that somehow he's just going to magically find everything he's always been looking for?"
"I don't know," Valka replied honestly, "I just know that he's been drawn to that place ever since he came across it, and everything he's found, the...the maps, his grandfather's journal, the pendant...even his dreams, all of it has been leading him back there."
"Dreams," Astrid questioned curiously.
"Yes dreams," Valka answered, "he's been having dreams of DunBroch...and a girl there. I don't know what these dreams mean and I don't even think he does." Astrid gazed at Valka with an emotionless expression.
"I have a feeling," Valka went on, "that in DunBroch maybe he'll find what he's been searching for all this time, maybe he'll find where he was always meant to be...and maybe then he can finally be happy, finally feel like he belongs."
"Okay," Astrid sighed, "look, I'm still going to send Eret and Fishlegs after him, but just to make sure he's okay. If they find him and everything is fine, then we'll leave him be...for now." Valka smiled slightly and nodded in Astrid's direction. Astrid nodded back.
...
DunBroch
Elinor stood silently on the balcony of her quarters overlooking the vast forest of DunBroch. She sighed heavily as she contemplated all that had been discussed at the meeting with Lord Dingwall. It wasn't a complete surprise to her, as the Lords had been hinting at their disparagement of Merida's lack of interest in even the idea of a betrothal. It was no secret that their patience in the matter had worn thin over these past five years, but Elinor had hoped her daughter would have found someone and fallen in love by now.
It was difficult to get Merida to even discuss the matter at all, now Elinor wondered how she would even tell her daughter about this new proposal of the Lords without her overreacting or feeling betrayed. She feared that the prospect of taking away Merida's freedom of choice would only push her daughter further away. The last thing she wanted was to hurt the bond they had formed since the bear incident. That in mind, Elinor knew that if she stood by and allowed this to happen she would no doubt lose Merida forever. She didn't know what to do. She was distracted from her troubled thoughts as Fergus lay his hands gently upon her shoulders.
"It's alright dear," he said softly, "we will figure this out."
"Aye," Elinor sighed, "I hope so, Merida will not be happy about this."
"Aye but it's only a technicality Elinor," Fergus replied, "she just has to appease the Lord's. Their sons will come and she'll have to go through the motions of the wooing so that the Lords will be satisfied that their sons had a fair shot." Fergus chuckled lightly.
"This is serious Fergus," Elinor replied.
"Ah know, Ah know," Fergus replied dismissively.
"Fergus if she chooses none," Elinor went on, "then they will force a marriage upon her! If that were to happen I don't know what she'll do! She's too much of a free spirit, she wants to rule on her own, in her own way. She doesn't even entertain the idea of marriage!"
"Elinor, yer being just a wee bit dramatic don't ye think," Fergus replied.
"Maybe," Elinor sighed heavily, "maybe I am, I just...I just don't know what to say to her. I mean, how can I go to her and tell her what the Lords have proposed. She'll hate me Fergus!"
"She's yer daughter Elinor," Fergus replied, "she could never hate ye."
"I hope yer right," Elinor replied, "the last thing I want is to lose her all over again after all that we've been through."
"I think yer bond is stronger then ye know dear," Fergus replied. Elinor nodded as she took in his words.
"Well what should we do," Elinor asked.
"Well we should just tell her the truth," Fergus replied, "tell her what the Lords propose, tell her that ye and I stand firm in our decision and that we will stand by her's as well, whatever her choice may be. Most of all we should just hope for the best."
"Hope for the best," Elinor questioned flatly.
"Aye," Fergus replied, "I know yer worried but I have a feeling everything will work out just as it should be."
"Ye are nothing if not hopeful to a fault dear, " Elinor smiled subtly though the worry still showed in her eyes.
"Well there is still time dear," Fergus replied with a shrug, "maybe she'll meet some lucky lad and fall in love before the Lords can do any harm. For all we know she could have met him already and is falling for him as we speak."