Merida's POV
My father game towards us. A stable boy came to take Angus and bring him to his stall. I stroked dirt off my dress and turned to my father, spreading out my arms to embrace him into a hug. He promised me to hug me every time we see, before he turns the attention to the baby after its born. I felt comfortable hugging him but I guess Hiccup felt left out for a moment. My father pulled away and turned to Hiccup. “So, what was the name? The housemaid told me it was something strange, for sure.”, he said, reaching his hand for Hiccup. I couldn't tell if he was nervous, but he shook my fathers hand with confidence, even if you could see how ashamed he was. “Its Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, Sir. I mean, your majesty.“, Hiccup answered. My father laughed, telling him he likes him, and moved to Hiccups side, patting him on the back, but knocking him down by mistake. My father was a strong man. I felt guilty for not telling him, but I felt even guiltier to have laughed at him. Taking a deep breath, I held out a hand for Hiccup, helping him up with a gently smile. He gave me a smile as he took my hand and let me help him. He looks so gorgeous when he smiles at me. No Merida, stop thinking that! My father cleared his throat and we both let go of each others hands, turning away. This was very awkward. I scratched my arm and he seemed to scratch his neck. Getting a frowning by my dad, I took a deep breath. “So, I heard mother wants to see me?”, I asked shy. He just gave me a nod and turned to Hiccup. I sighed and turned around, ready to go into the castle. I could hear a part of the conversation my father and Hiccup had. “So, 'Haddock III'. Are ye a royal? Or why the 'III'?”, he questioned him. “Well, kinda.. but, not really. I don't think, Sir.”, Hiccup stuttered. I went inside and saw my brothers in the halls. “Where is mother?”, I asked, raising an eyebrow. They were jam-full with sweets and cake, which were obviously meant for dessert, and pointed at the stairs. She was upstairs in her room, I hope she is OK. Tousling trough every ones hair, I jumped up the stairs to my mothers bedroom. Before I could knock, I heard her yelling to come in. As she pleases, I opened the door. “So, what's the matter?”, I asked unaware of everything. She patted the bed to tell me to sit down. I secretly rolled my eyes, hoping she wouldn't notice and sit down. Can't this woman just talk to my like always? I was about to growl out of despair but I didn't let her see. I'm in control of myself! Totally! “So.. what?”, I said shrugging. “Are you ill? Do you need something?” I heard her sigh loud. “Merida... You are 19 years old and still refuse to find a man to marry.” Screw the control. I growled loudly out of despair. “Could we please talk about this, after dinner? We have a guest.”, I said sheepishly, covering my blushing face in my hands. I still don't like the thought of getting married. I do not want someone odd, like the most guys my father picks. And I don't know them, they are strangers. Like Hiccup. I felt a prickling in my stomach, thinking about him in such a situation. Yeah he's a stranger, but he is different. He is kind and funny and cute and his eyes are just--- Stop it already! I felt my cheeks getting hot and I knew I was red like a tomato. “Call me when dinner's ready. I'll be in my room!”, I yelled, jumping from my mothers bad, running trough the hall into my room. I slit down the door as I closed it behind me. My heart felt so heavy, beating in my chest. I heard my blood rushing trough my veins, deep in my ears. The only thing louder, was my uneven, heavy breath, escaping my mouth. What is this? “This is so embarrassing...”, I mumbled into my palm, still covering my tomato red face. I felt a shiver running up my whole body as someone knocks on my door. “Princess? Dinner's ready. Would you mind coming down?” I took a deep breath and gulped two times before I stood up and opened the door, thanking the housemaid to call me and went down. I heard my father talking to Hiccup as the door opened and they got in. Were they talking the whole time? My mother was sitting on the table, before everyone else. How long have I been in my room? It seemed like just a few seconds. I walked down the stairs with vanity, catching Hiccups smile what made me giggle and tremble a bit. Not obviously, I didn't felt it that much too. Anyways. I reached the end of the stairs and my father just sat down in the long side of the table, having an eye on everyone. My brothers filled one bank by their self so I rolled my eyes and sat next to Hiccup. My mother told my brothers to behave and they did, and smiled to our guest. “You took your time, my dear.”, my mother said as she puts the first bit on her fork. “Did I?”, I mumbled with my mouth full. An angry look hit me and I held my hand before my mouth, trying to swallow and apologized for showing no manners. Hiccup was really quite, and he seems cowed by my father. What where thy talking about? No one was really talking. My parents just exchanged a few glances but no talks. I continued eating, peeking to Hiccup, who was looking around and eating quietly. Suddenly, my father started to talk to me: “Did ye know, your friend here, is a Viking?” What was bad about vikings? “No... is this.. bad?”, I asked and something inside of me was afraid of hearing a 'yes'. He shook his head and I felt relieved. “Bad? No! I just.. thought... you know.” He was clearing his throat and continued eating. I have no idea, whats going on right know, but it makes me feel unease. Not that I don't enjoy Hiccups presence, I'm just afraid my father frightened him with some stories or told him to go away after dinner. My heart felt heavy at this thoughts. Why? Control your self! My mother giggled and I asked what was so funny. Hearing her laugh or giggle was not a good sign. Well, or a too good sign. Watch out, this could be embarrassing. And indeed, it was. “You two look so cute. Sitting next to each other, avoiding eye contact but peeking at each other when the other one's not looking and Merida you are already blushing red.” I held my cheeks and Hiccup nearly chocked on his food. I gently hit his back 'till he could breath again. “Jeez! Don't scare me this bad again!”, I held my hand on my chest. “You scared the hell out of us!” My father glanced to my mother. “Did you hear that? 'Us'. So, is there something we should know?” I know they made fun, but was it fun for me? It. Was. Not. I pushed away my place and let my head fell on the table, running my fingers trough my hair. I heard my mother yelling about not to put my head and hair on the table and lifted it up, looking annoyed and angry. It was silent for a few seconds. Everyone stopped eating, looking to me and Hiccup. As my father shrugged and pulled more food to his snickering mouth, the rest of us continued eating as well. I just want to go into my room and shut me out of the world. It was just noon and I felt like it was in the middle of the night. After finishing dinner, my father told us to go outside. He has to talk to our mother and I should get Hiccup a place to sleep. We went outside and I was about to take him to the INN but as the door closed, Hiccup grabbed me and pulled me aside. My heart pumping and looked confused. “Listen...”, he began dejected and made me worry. “I.. I talked to your father, and I think I should go.” I shook my head in surprise and disbelieve. “What?” He didn't seem to want that but there was some force pushing him to. “Please, just stay the day! I will get ye a place in the INN, ye don't have to pay!” Was I even aware what I'm talking? A light smile formed on his face and he agreed. I was so happy at that moment and I couldn't help it but looking into his gorgeous green eyes. I faced reality again and cleared my throat. “Ah... but the day isn't done yet!”, I chuckled to raise the mood. I looked at my surroundings to get an overview of what we could do. “How about... do you know how to fight?”, I asked, raising an eyebrow while pointing to an 'arena', marked by bales of hay positioned in a circle. “Well... a bit, why?”, he said scratching the back of his neck. “Please, let me fight you?”, I begged, wrapping my arms around one of his, leaving him no choice. I heard him sighing and mumble something but it was to quiet to understand. “OK, but don't injure me again. My arm still hurts”, he agreed. “And hugging it thigh, sadly, won't make it better.” He snickered at the last part and I let go of his arm. That was a stupid idea. I just hurt him and now I want to fight him again? He stopped and looked at me with worry, as I looked on the ground. “Sorry, I forgot I shoot you.”,I said with debt in my voice. I wanted to slap myself. Then, he did something I did not expect him to do.
Hiccup's POV
Her father game towards us. I gulped silently, because he was big, and probably strong and heaven knows what he will do to me if I don't please him right. Also, he's the King. I saw her spreading out her arms to embrace him into a hug. Now, they looked cute. Why am I even worried? Oh yeah, because I'm a hobbledehoy, that's why. This felt awkward. Seeing them hugging ans standing there like left out. But was I in the position to complain? Finally her father pulled her away and turned to me. “So, what was the name? The housemaid told me it was something strange, for sure.”, he said, reaching his hand for me. Just do this. You can do this. Take this man's hand and shake it! I took it with confidence and shook it like a man should do. But the part with the name, was still embarrassing. “Its Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, Sir. I mean, your majesty.“, I said and he laughed, probably because of my name. “I like ye! Ye seem like a strong, confident man!” I chuckled in honor but got knocked down by his 'gently' pat on the back. This was a hell of a strong man. I felt dizzy and needed a moment but realized Merida holding her hand, in front of my face, for me to reach it and I gave her a smile as she helped me. She was so kind and beautiful. Damn, I think I'm falling for her. My heart made a jump as her father cleared his throat and we let go of each others hand. This was very awkward. She scratched her arm and I scratched my neck. Her father frowned at her, making her leave, after asking for her mother. I watched her until I heard the king speaking to me. “So, 'Haddock III'. Are ye a royal? Or why the 'III'?” I gulped because I wasn't sure if you could call it 'royal'. But I was an important man, where I came from. “Well, kinda.. but, not really. I don't think, Sir.”, I begin to stutter. “But, you could say I'm famous where I come from. And important, too!” He began to smile. I'm honestly afraid of this man. “Good. How did you get to know each other?”, he asked, stroking his beard. With a smile on my face, I started telling him the story how I met his daughter. He was just as interesting as she was, while she listened to my story about the flight. Frowning, laughing, smiling and some more expressions rushed over his face. I didn't even realized how much I was talking. He looked me over from head to toe, with a smirk. “And what are ye?” I didn't get what he meant. “Excuse me...?”, I asked frowning. He laughed and pointed at my clothes. “Oh. I'm a Viking... without a hat... sorry I uhm lost it.”, I lied a bit. I am a Viking, but I don't wear my Viking-Helmet since I'm a dragon trainer. But I couldn't tell him about the dragons. He would think I'm insane and I can't show him Toothless. Not yet, maybe never. He cleared his throat and nodded before he wiggled his wooden leg and winked at me. “Listen, tomorrow will be a great day. If you behave, I may invite ye to it, because I like ye and ye seem like a loyal fellow!” “Oh nice, that sounds brilliant, what is it?”,I asked happy because I never got invited by a King. “We try to get Merida a man she will marry. Three men will fight for her, the winner gets her hand in marriage!”, he said, lifting up his hand in glory but as he finished, my face went blank in pure shock. As I said, too good to be true. I meet a nice girl, I fall for her and she gets married to someone. This. It. Ridiculous. He snapped his fingers in front of my face, asking me if I was OK. No, I wasn't! But I couldn't tell him. I just told him that I was hungry, what was true, but not the cause of my shocked face. His loud laugh filled the air as he hit his arm around my shoulder, causing me to loose my balance but not to fall. He dragged me into the castle, because we heard the housemaid call for dinner. “I think she would be happy to see a friend around tomorrow.”, he said with joy but whispered as he saw her on top of the stairs: “She doesn't have many friends, ye know?” A woman, the queen perhaps, sat patiently on the table, while looking to the king. She was just as slim as Merida, or the other way around. (A/N: Hiccup can't see that she's pregnant because she is sitting and the table blocks the view!) I turned to Merida, who was walking down the stairs. I smiled, because I couldn't help it, I feel like smiling when she's around and it made me confident when she smiled at me or giggled. Her father sat down at the long side of the table and as Merida finished the last step of the stairs, my imagination tricked me. I saw her, in a white dress. I blinked fast until I saw the reality again. It hurts, and I don't mean my arm after she shoot me. I sat down and she sat beside me. The queen told the three little boys to behave and they did, and smiled to me. “You took your time, my dear.”, she said to Merida as she puts the first bit on her fork. “Did I?”, I heard her mumble with her mouth full of food. An angry look by her mother made her holding her hand before my mouth, trying to swallow and apologize for showing no manners. I tried to get those pictures out of my head. Merida in a wedding dress, marring someone else. Did I said else? I looked around the halls while I was eating. This halls are gigantic! Suddenly, her father started to talk to her: “Did ye know, your friend here, is a Viking?” “No... is this.. bad?”, she asked sounding afraid of getting punished or something. He shook his head adding: “Bad? No! I just.. thought... you know.” He was clearing his throat and continued eating. I have no idea, whats going on right know, but it makes me feel unease. I enjoy being here, with her and her parents, more or less. But even if I know her father is a great and kind man, he is scaring me! And telling me, Merida will marry someone who wins her as some sort of price, fighting against two others makes me feel sick. Suddenly, the queen giggled and I heard Merida asking: “What's so funny?” “You two look so cute. Sitting next to each other, avoiding eye contact but peeking at each other when the other one's not looking and Merida you are already blushing red.” Merida held her cheeks and I nearly chocked on my food. Was I peeking at her? I didn't even notice. This is embarrassing. I felt a gently hitting on my back until I could breath again. “Jeez! Don't scare me this bad again!”, Merida yelled, holing her hand on her chest. “You scared the hell out of us!” My father glanced to my mother. “Did you hear that? 'Us'. So, is there something we should know?” What? Was this supposed to be funny? It. Was. Not. I nearly choked, god damn! Merida's head fell in the table and she ran her fingers trough her thick, red curls. I heard her mother yelling about not to put the head and hair on the table and saw how she lifted it up, looking annoyed and angry. It was silent for a few seconds. Everyone stopped eating, looking to us. As the king shrugged and pulled more food to his snickering mouth, the rest of us continued eating as well. I just want to get this over me and talk to Merida. Did she knew she would get married? Stupid if not. Was she playing with me? After finishing dinner, the king told us to go outside. He has to talk to her mother and Merida should get me a place to sleep. We went outside and I grabbed Merida and pulled her aside. I took a deep breath and looked into her gorgeous blue eyes. “Listen...”, I began dejected and her face showed worry. “I.. I talked to your father, and I think I should go.” She shook her head and I was just as surprised as her. “What?”, she asked disbelieving “Please, just stay the day! I will get ye a place in the INN, ye don't have to pay!” did she really said that? A light smile formed on my face because I felt warm, knowing she won't want me to leave, so I agreed. I couldn't say no to her cute and beautiful face. We looked into each others eyes. I would have gone lost in them if she wouldn't have cleared her throat. “Ah... but the day isn't done yet!”, she chuckled worried. I knew it was to lift the mood to something brighter. “How about... do you know how to fight?”, she asked, raising an eyebrow while pointing to an 'arena', marked by bales of hay positioned in a circle. “Well... a bit, why?”, I said scratching the back of his neck. Did she forgot about my arm already? “Please, let me fight you?”, she begged, wrapping her slim arms around one of mine, leaving him no choice. “I don't want to hurt her...”, I mumbled after sighing. “OK, but don't injure me again. My arm still hurts and hugging it thigh, sadly, won't make it better.”, I said playful but it seemed to hurt her hearing this. She forgot about it. I knew this after she let go of my arm. That was a stupid idea to fight me again, because I can't fight and I'm injured. I just hurt him and now I want to fight him again? She looked at the ground and I felt sorry. Was it really my fault that she is sad now? “Sorry, I forgot I shoot you.”, she said with silently and I could hear that she was sorry. She looked so cute and breakable and then, I did something we both did not expect me to do.