Rise of the Guardians 2

Chapter 23

Authors Note: This is an AU where Stoik is not killed in the 2nd movie, only badly injured.

We all stared dumbfounded after her, completely bewildered. "Should we look for Hiccup or follow her" I asked

"Hiccup can wait" Jack said "We should find Merida" Which was easier said than done. We search for 2 hours before we finally found her. She was sitting in a circle made up of giant stone pillars, wiping tears from her eyes.

"Mer, are you alright." Punz asked softly

"I'm fine" she said standing up "I'm sorry, I shouldn't of run off like that. Some Spirit of Bravery, I am."

"Hey, don't say that" Jack said "Everyone has the right to cry sometimes"

"Yeah," I agreed "Jack would know"

"Hey!"

Merida gave a little snort of laughter at that. "Thanks for coming after me"

"What are friends for" I said warmly "So, Mer, is something the matter."

"It just brought back memories" She said "I died here, you know. I watched a friend of mine die. It was Hiccup actually"

"You knew Hiccup?" Punz asked

"Not well," Merida admitted "I'd just met him before he died and he was trying to stop the war and-"

"Whoa, Merida you might want to start at the beginning." I exclaimed

"The beginning?" She mused "We might want to sit down, this is a long story." And so we did and she began to tell.

"It started back before I was born. My mother has told me the story of how the 4 clans came together. We were threatened by invaders from the sea: Vikings. At first the clans fought them separately, but when the Viking began to conquer our land my father brought the clans together, and they were defeated."

"They didn't dare come back. They couldn't beat us when we were unighted because they were also facing problems on their own island: Dragon raids. That all changed, however in my 18th year." She looked grave "They came for us again. They had solved the dragon problem and now were riding their backs instead. We had no chance against Dragon riders.

"Then Hiccup came. I was riding out in the woods, when two dragons swooped down on me. I fired on them, but they dodged it easily. I thought I was dead. The dragonriders introduced themselves as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the third, heir to the Berk tribe, and his wife Astrid. They had come against Hiccup's father: the Chief to try and restore peace. I was wary at first, but Hiccup and Astrid taught me something: that a person should be liked or hated based on their personality, not their clan. I had been taught that Viking were monsters to be feared and hated, but at the end of the day Astrid and Hiccup were better friends than some of the people back home."

"I heard the trumpets sound that signified the start of battle. Hiccup, Astrid and I rushed back to my castle and it was being destroyed. Hiccup and Astrid landed and tried to stop the fight and I stood with them. Both sides would not cease and Hiccup's father called him a traitor and someone from his side shot at me and hit. My father then retaliated and I saw the battle break out again. Hiccup and his Dragon were shot and then I died"

"Oh, Mer" I whispered "I'm so sorry"

"I was brought back as a spirit for the funeral." She said quietly " I walked around seeing people grieve over me and I couldn't speak or interact with anyone at all." She wiped a tear from her eyes again "My parents and Hiccup's decided to make peace, as our dying wish. I just wish that peace didn't have to come at the cost of our lives. Especially Hiccup's. I know Astrid survived, I saw her at the funeral."

"Wait," I said "Weren't you made a Spirit 3 years ago"

"Yeah" She said "I watched the funeral and the peace treaty and then I was sent forward in time"

"Why" Rapunzel asked

"Same reason my memories were taken" Jack said "So she didn't go crazy wondering what happened after she died."

"Then why didn't we see you down at the funeral" Punz asked

"Time paradox" I said "You can't meet a past version of yourself"

I stood up "Shall we go get your friend, Mer"

"Lets" She agreed and we went in search of the funeral ship