Betrothal (a merricup story)

Nine- archery lesson

Another boring day passed, and the moment Elinor's back was turned, Merida snatched her bow and snuck out of the castle into the forest. After a series of arrow shooting, she found herself by a river. "Hmm....how about some fish?" She smirked, aiming her arrow. She fired her arrows, deftly catching several fishes. "Aha!" She grinned, picking up the fishes.

A nose sniffed the fish in her hands from behind her, startling her. With a shriek, she slipped, falling into the water. She sat up spluttering and wet, glaring at the owner of said nose. "TOOTHLESS!! What're ye doing?!" She yelled. The dragon ignored her, eating the fish that she'd caught.

Once finished, it looked at her. "You- you like fish?" She asked. The dragon seemed to perk up at the mention of fish. "Toothless?" The bushes parted, and Hiccup walked out. "Eh? Merida?" He asked, surprised.

Merida looked at him. "Does he like fish?" She asked. Hiccup blinked, then nodded. She walked over and picked up her arrows. "Now, watch and learn." She said, aiming an arrow. She let the arrow loose, neatly catching a fish. She looked at Hiccup, a smirk on her face. "And that, is how you catch a fish." She said.

"Nice one." Hiccup said, taking the fish from her. He looked at her, noting how wet she was. "You shouldn't stay in there so long. You'll get sick." He said.

Toothless gobbled up the fish, then looked at the both of them expectantly. He nudged Hiccup, pushing him into the water. "Whoa!" Hiccup spluttered, getting up. "What was that for?!" He asked, looking at Toothless. The dragon looked at the fish, then looked back at him.

Merida laughed. "I think he wants more fish." She said, nocking her bow. "C'mon, I'll teach you how to shoot them."

Hiccup shook his head. "I don't think that would work." He said.

She sighed, firing the arrow. "Ok, enough with that depressing attitude." She said. "How can you be sure it won't work unless you give it a try?" She picked up the fish, tossing it to Toothless. She stood next to Hiccup, handing him the bow, and taught him to hold the bow properly.

"Now, all you have to do, is focus on your target." She said. She noticed a slight shaking of his arm, and reached out a hand, steadying him. "Steady now." She said softly. "Ready?" She asked.

He gave a little nervous laugh. "I guess?" He said, looking at her.

She smacked his arm. "Don't look at me, focus on your target!" She said. He looked back at the fish quickly. "Ok, now, deep breath in, deep breath out." She said. Deep breath in, deep breath out.

"Release."

The arrow flew from the bow, and shot through the fish.

For a moment, Hiccup stared at the fish, stunned. "See?" Merida said, picking the fish up. "Told ya. All you have to do is try." She grinned.

Hiccup smiled. "Thanks." He said. "For teaching me."

"You're welcome, Hic." She smiled. "Anytime."