Betrothal (a merricup story)

Nineteen- FINAL CHALLENGE!!!!!!

"The final challenge will be-" Queen Elinor said. "The challenge to win the princess's heart." Merida's eyes widened as she took in Elinor's words, as did all the lords and their sons.

"In a marriage, it is equally important for there to be love between the two, which is why I have created this challenge. The previous challenges were to prove your worth to the princess, form a good first impression-" Merida snorted. Elinor ignored her, continuing to speak. "All of it has led to this final challenge. So, if the princess would step forward?" She glanced at Merida.

Merida blinked. "What?" She asked.

"Just go!" Rapunzel hissed, giving her a slight push. Merida shot a glare at her, walking over to stand next to her mother. All four candidates were lined up in front of her.

"Each of you will tell the princess what you thought of her at first, and how you think of her now." Elinor said. "Begin."

After three long- rather boring- speeches from the three candidates, Hiccup stepped forward. "Um, princess- Merida." He corrected himself. He took a deep breath. "Ok, this is kind of....sudden, so I'm not prepared..." He said nervously.

Merida smiled. "But, um...I'm just gonna go ahead and say whatever comes to mind, like what I'm doing right now..ahem. Before I met you, I thought that you, being a princess, wouldn't be so...um, different from what I expected. But the first time I met you, in the forest that day, you proved me wrong." Hiccup said. "You're the most wonderful and amazing person I know. You're headstrong, stubborn, you're probably stronger than I am." He laughed nervously. "You're an amazing archer, you're kind, caring, gentle... And that's why I fell in love with you."

"I love you, because you are you. There is no other reason for it." Hiccup said with absolute certainty. His eyes never left Merida's.

"Who do you choose?" Elinor asked. Merida looked at her. "The choice is entirely up to you." Elinor said. Merida looked at the candidates. Dingwall, Macintosh, MacGuffin.

Then Hiccup.

"Hic." She said softly. He looked up. "Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III." She smiled.

He looked surprised. 'You choose me?" He asked, confused.

She laughed, flinging her arms around his neck. "Of course I choose you, idiot." Merida grinned. From the audience, Jack whooped and Rapunzel cheered. Hiccup, finally realising that he'd won the last challenge- the only one that had mattered, broke into a grin. "You like me?" He asked.

She shook her head, still smiling. "Wrong." She kissed him on the cheek. "I love you too."

The Viking blushed beet red, a grin on his face. Leaning down, he caught the Scottish princess's lips in a kiss, catching her by surprise. When he pulled away, she looked up at him. "Caught up in the moment..." He muttered bashfully. She rolled her eyes, and kissed him back.

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WOOHOO!!!! YES, FINALLY!!!!

By the way, the story's not over yet....