Betrothal (a merricup story)

Two- meet Hiccup

It was a day before the lords were due to arrive, and Merida was sick of staying cooped up in the castle all day. She snuck into her mother's room, taking her bow with her. Rapunzel sighed, but went with it. "If your mother finds out you're gone, it won't be from me." She said.

Merida hugged her. "Thanks, Rapunzel." She smiled, running off.

It wasn't long before she reached the forest. She shot her arrows, relishing in the fact that, as always, each and every one of them hit their targets. She grinned, feeling the wind blow her curls back.

Most of all, she felt free.

A brunette boy with green eyes watched as the redhead girl shot her arrows, amazed by her skill. "Wow. Even here, I'm still a useless Viking who can't even measure up to a girl." He sighed, walking away from where the girl was.

Then he stepped on a twig.

The snap was incredibly loud in the silent wood. He gulped. The redhead girl had her bow up, an arrow already aimed at him. "Who are ye?" She shouted. "I know yer there! Come out!"

"Okay, okay!" He said, turning around. "Just don't shoot!" He sighed, walking out. "Look, I'm unarmed." He said. "Put the bow down? Please?" He asked. Her eyes were light blue, he noticed.

"Who are ye?" She asked, still holding the bow up.

"I'm Hiccup." He said. She raised an eyebrow. "Hiccup? Yer name is Hiccup?" She asked disbelievingly. He sighed, nodding. "Funny name, I know." He muttered. She lowered her bow.

"So, who are you?" He asked.

She looked at him. "Yer not from around here, aren't ye?" She said in her Scottish accent. He shook his head. "No wonder." She muttered. "It's Merida." She said, walking back to her monster of a horse. "So, Hiccup, what are ye doing out in the woods by yerself?" She asked.

"I was just...looking around?" He said.

"Okay...where are ye from? Yer don't see clothes like that everyday here." She said, looking at his clothes. "Where's yer kilt?"

"Kilt..? I, er...don't have one."

"Oh?" She looked at him. "Ye must be from far away, then."

"Yeah..." He said.

She looked at him intently. "Ye don't have to be so afraid of me." She said. "Yer practically shaking in yer boots!"

He stood up straighter. "Am not!" He insisted.

She laughed. "That's better." She said.