The annual Dunbroch Masquerade Ball had done it again. The castle was decorated beautifully with golds and blues. The music was in full swing as bagpipes filled the room with sound. Everyone was in masks and seemed to be enjoying themselves except for one young man and one young lady.
The lad was a foreigner to the Castle. He was the chieftain's son of an island Viking country called Berk. His father made him attend because he wanted him to make acquaintance with rulers of other lands to establish respect and attention to national leaders. But Hiccup was a twenty year old man. He wanted to fly on his Dragon and explore those lands not just meet its rulers.
He stood against a pillar shifting his mask uncomfortably. It was a black mask plain and simple. He sighed. What weird traditions they had here in Dunbroch. Wearing masks at a party? That was never heard of.
He scanned the room trying to look for a familiar face but he knew no one he knew would be here. His father had gone off with King Fergus in the dining hall. So he was stuck in the ballroom. Then his eyes caught a glimpse of a girl who looked just as unhappy as he was.
She wore a light blue gown with gold embroidery. Her mask was gold with little sapphires around the rim. Her hair was what he noticed the most. Her hair was in wild curls that had to be natural. They bounced as she she shifted from side to side. Her mouth was in a frown as she stared blankly into her cup.
He decided to walk over and maybe make conversation with her. Who knows maybe they can talk about how bored they were.
He went up to her and said hello. She looked at him with surprise like she was in deep thought about something and he had interrupted.
"Hm? Oh hello." She said.
Her accent was Scottish she must be from around here.
"I see your as engaged with this party as I am." He replied.
She glanced at him and smiled "is it that obvious."
He reassured her, "No, I just noticed because I wasn't enjoying myself either. No offense to the King and Queen but parties aren't really my thing...well at least formal balls.l"
"I'm not a fan of them either. Although I went to this tavern once and it was the owner's birthday and it was very amusing." She laughed. "I remember having to tell my mum That I had been out riding and just happened to stumble in for a quick drink of water."
"That must've been fun. Birthday's are pretty fun in Berk as well,"
"You're a Viking?" She asked curiously.
"Yes, I thought my tough demeanor would give it away." He joked.
"Oh yes definitely I can see you being a malicious Viking of brute strength running a muck everywhere you step." She smiled.
He chuckled and remarked "well you got the running a muck part right."
She decided she liked this young Viking who had came up to talk to her. He was witty and humorous. To be honest she was bored to and being daughter of the hostess you would think she would be used to all these parties but she they exhausted her and made her mind go blank as she stared at the people stuffily laughing and talking. But this man was different he was fun. She guessed him to be Stoick's son, since the only Viking her father knew well was Chief Stoick. She decided she should introduce herself.
"I'm Merida." She said sticking out her hand.
"Of Dunbroch? The owner's of the castle?" He asked taking her hand.
"That's the one. Though technically it's my parents who own the castle."
"Well it's nice to meet you Merida of Dunbroch, I'm Hiccup Haddock." He realized they were still holding hands and let go immediately feeling a bit flustered.
"Nice to meet you too. Now what do you say we get out of here." She asked mischievously.
"I would hate to defy the hostess," he smiled.
She took his hand again and led him to a hallway with a single bookcase.
"What are we doing here?" He asked.
"Shh." She said. She scanned the bookshelf and finally took out a blue book in the middle and the book case became a door.
Hiccup's eyes grew with curiosity as his mouth twisted into a smile. "That was cool."
"Come on." She insisted. They went through the secret passage way. It was very hard to see but hiccup felt the walls that seemed to be made out of stone.
"How did you even find this place Merida?"
There was silence. He stopped his footsteps and heard no one else's
"Merida?" He asked again.
He heard a voice from far away.
"Come and find me!" She said.
How did she get so far?
He followed the sound of her voice. "Marco?" He asked.
"Polo!" She said.
He was getting closer. "Marco?" He asked.
"Polo!" She said again.
Finally he was at the end of the tunnel and he could see. He was outside of the castle. But Merida was nowhere to be seen.
"Merida I think I'll get in trouble for losing the Princess of Dunbroch in Dunbroch. I'd be a terrible party guest." He laughed. "Fine, Marco?"
"Polo." She whispered.
She was behind a rose bush. He peaked over it and saw her red hair.
"Found you." He said.
"You only won for one reason." She replied.
"And what reason is that?" He asked.
"I can't say it's embarrassing." She said.
He looked confused. Why did she need to be embarrassed?"
"Oh come on." He replied.
"My hair is caught in the rose bush." She replied.
He stifled a laugh.
"It's not funny!" She said but he could tell she was trying not to laugh herself.
He went over to her to help get her out. It actually wasn't her hair it was mostly the string of her mask.
"Do you mind if I break the string of your mask?"
"I don't mind at all this thing is bloody uncomfortable." She answered.
He put the string around his finger and pulled breaking the string off. The mask hung with the rose bush and for the first time he could see her full face. Her eyes were blue, like her dress. And she had a small button nose. Freckles were dashed upon it.
He took off his mask as well to see her better. She was staring up at him as well. Happy to be free of the mask and being able to see Hiccup's face more clearly as well.
"That's better." She smiled.
"Much better." He said.
Authors note: here is your masquerade drabble! I could totally see them ditching it to hang out in the woods or go on some adventure in the castle so I hoped you all liked it! Comment vote and request!
