Betrothal (a merricup story)

Four- Hiccup's a Viking?

Merida sat in her seat, sulking as Elinor gave her speech to the lords. She looked over the three lords, Lord Macintosh, MacGuffin and Dingwall, and scoffed inwardly at the three sons. And weren't there supposed to be four suitors? What happened to the Vikings?

The doors swung open. Merida looked up in anticipation as a man of large size, enough to compare with her father, walked in. "A Viking..." She whispered in awe. He certainly looked strong enough to handle a bear. She watched as her father stood up, grinning. "Stoik! Good to see you, old friend." He said, hugging the Viking.

"It is good to see you to, Fergus." Stoik said, patting his shoulder. "I apologise for our lateness, there was a slight....complication."

"At least you made it." Fergus said. "And, where is your son?"

"Ah..." Stoik looked slightly uncomfortable.

"I'm here, I'm here." A voice yelled, walking over. "Sorry, got distracted." Hiccup walked into the room. "Um...." He looked around nervously.

Merida stared at him. "He's a Viking?!" She muttered to herself. "He looks like he could snap in half, like a twig!" He looked over at her, and their eyes met. She glared at him meaningfully, praying he wouldn't say anything about their meeting yesterday. "Um..." He bowed awkwardly. "Nice to meet you?" He said.

"So, now that all of the lords have arrived, it will be up to the princess to decide the first of the many events and contests that shall be held in the course of the next few weeks." Elinor said. "Merida?"

Merida stood up. "Anything at all?" She asked. Elinor nodded. A wicked grin spread over her face. "Archery. The one who defeats me," she looked at the suitors. "Wins." She looked at her mother, who sighed. "Very well. Archery it is." Elinor said wearily. "The contest shall take place in the field, tomorrow."

~~~~~~

"So...it wasn't that bad, right?" Rapunzel asked. Merida changed into a more comfortable outfit, and threw her hair back.

"Hmm....I guess it wasn't that terrible or disastrous. No declarations of war yet." Merida said. "Did you see that Viking boy? So skinny! Like a twig!" She exclaimed. "I thought all Vikings were strong, burly, muscled! Is he even a Viking?!"

Rapunzel pursed her lip. "That's not very nice, Meri." She said.

"I know." Merida said, a bit guilty. "He seemed like a funny guy though. But not what I'd expect of a Viking."

"True...but, you should never judge a book by its cover!" Rapunzel said. "You never know, he could be stronger than he looks."

Merida snorted. "Doubt it. Yes, I know it's mean, but I seriously doubt it." She sighed. "But at least he's not arrogant like that Macintosh."

"Yeah, I guess." Rapunzel said, hugging a pillow. "So, ready for tomorrow?"

Merida grinned. "They're not gonna beat me!" She said.