A Royal Match (Mericcup)

The Lords and their Heirs

Merida's POV

We left Toothless- and my brothers- in the woods, getting back around nightfall. "The clansmen!" I whispered, noticing for the first time that I hadn't let go of Hiccup's hand yet. Aw well. He's not complaining. I pulled Hiccup into the Great Hall. Mum was not there, and it was a mess. The Vikings Stoick had brought were over in one part with our clan, the separate clans all barricaded off with tables again.

There were the MacIntoshs- Lord MacIntosh was waving a chicken leg threateningly at Lord Dingwall, before realizing what it was. And there were the Dingwalls- Cawley was sinking his teeth into anyone who came near, while his father was arguing redfaced with Lord MacGuffin and ignoring MacIntosh. There were the MacGuffins- Morven throwing bits of wood and mumbling.

Lastly, there was our clan and the Vikings. Dad and Stoick were arguing with each other. I sighed. "Hiccup, whatever you do, stay close to me." I let go of his hand and walked in, head held high, just like Mum. Where I walked in between, the clans stopped fighting. Lord MacIntosh, Dad, Stoick, Lord Dingwall, Cawley, Lord MacGuffin and Morven all came over to me.

"Princess, where's the queen?" MacGuffin asked.

"Princess, why are the Vikings here?" MacIntosh added.

"Merida, whose that behind you?" Cawley asked, peering around me. I looked over my shoulder. Hiccup wasn't completely behind me, he was just standing in a way that was more to the side of me than behind me.

"That's my son, Hiccup." Stoick said. Hiccup shot him a look, like, these are murderous clansmen who DON"T like Vikings, and you'd like to point out your son to them?! Instantly, the lords started talking all at once- including Dad. Hiccup and Stoick started talking too, then the whole Great Hall.

"SHUT IT!!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. Everyone went quiet.

"I don't know where my mother is, but rest assured, she will most likely return soon."

"Where's Adair?" MacIntosh asked.

"He was in the forest last I saw him, with Astrid Hofferson."

Stoick's eyes widened.

"Why are the Vikings here?" Dingwall asked suspiciously. Stoick and Dad started to growl and mutter, even Hiccup glared.

"The Vikings of Berk are here to establish a trade alliance with us- perhaps it would benefit everyone if you set one up with them as well." I said smoothly. 

Cawley looked at Hiccup, the most interested I'd ever seen him. "Are you and Hiccup in a relationship, Merida?" Hiccup and I looked at each other. Oh dear. I wish we were, but if I say yes, the lords will go crazy, you think this Viking is better than our sons, blah blah blah.

"Hiccup and I are friends at the moment Cawley, though I don't see it as any of your business."

"Oh. Because I could have sworn you two have this... look."

"What would you know of love?" Morven asked him curiously, comprehensible for once.

Cawley grinned goofily. "Met this girl. She rides a dragon, and her name is Ruffnut!"

Hiccup and Stoick stiffened, then looked at each other and nodded. So they know this... Ruffnut.

"Of course Cawley likes her." Hiccup muttered.

"And Adair likes her friend Astrid. He said as much himself." I said.

Hiccup rolled his eyes. "What Adair likes is being a lady killer." He murmured, so Lord MacIntosh couln't hear him.