Wanderlust

Chapter 10: Rivalry?

  After the conversation with King Fergus, Hiccup felt the desire to escape from confines of his room. Making his way through the labyrinth that was Dunbroach's castle, Hiccup found himself in a fray of people, tents, and events surrounding him in absolutely no time. The festivities were a bit slower today, featuring many of the main events, most of the rest of the fair had lulled from the previous days. He made his way slowly to the stables, hoping to take a short ride with Toothless, and possibly look for what remained of the plants that he and Fishlegs had yet to find and record.

The wooden structure, tucked away behind a maze of castle courtyards was certainly no Dragon Stables, but worked well for housing Toothless just the same. The dark-scaled dragon enjoyed the company of the horses (at least the one or two that felt comfortable around him) along with Cloudjumper -Valka's Stormcutter*- and Meatlug -Fishleg's Gronkle** - but was mainly able to stretch his wings and legs whenever he'd like.

"Ready to go bud?" Hiccup asked, having secured the saddle and checked on the Nightfury's prosthetic tail. Toothless's head bobbed slightly, and energetic laugh emanating from the dragon as he flexed the tail piece. "Alright, let me grab my satchel." Hiccup called, running back to the stable doors to grab the bag he'd left when getting Toothless's harness.

When the green-eyed viking returned, he was met by a stranger, who examined the dragon's saddle with a strange expression. Toothless had taken a notable step back, unsure of what to do. "You are Hiccup aren't you? The new chieftain of that isle in the North?" The boy asked, glancing away from the dragon to look towards Hiccup. He was tall, with shoulder-length, wavy brown hair tied back loosely behind him, and a muscular frame. A circular design of blue Pictish Woad paint adorned one of his arms. Most notably, a long scar traversed from the bridge of the boy's large nose past his check, and stopped just shy of his thin lips. His features were nerveless handsome though, that was something Hiccup was sure of. The long haired boy also carried an air of superiority along with a sheathed sword tucked over his shoulder, something Hiccup wasn't sure how he felt about.

"I am," Hiccup said, outstretching a hand to greet the older boy. "I don't think we had the pleasure of introductions on the hunt the other day. Who are you, exactly?" The boy took Hiccup by the wrist, shaking his hand in the formal ways they'd both no doubt seen their parents do countless times. It was rigid and uninviting, and felt far to historic for their casual encounter

"I am Artair***, Artair Macintosh." The boy replied, a hint of a sneer under his polite tone. "And you're the lad who's gained the princess's affection?" Hiccup felt his face grow hot, if only a little, although he choked back a nervous laugh. "Relax, I'm just trying to understand how someone with such a fitting name as yours, has caught the eye of our future Queen."

Hiccup's brow scrunched "Future Queen?" He repeated, puzzled by what the boy way implying. "I thought women couldn't rule alone here, or has that much changed in a year?" He almost felt bad for the question, remembering the night a few months before that Merida had tried to take her father's place at the treaty signing, only to be shot down by the rulers around her. If things had changed, he could only image the hatred that may ignite in the hearts of those older Rulers.

"In her mother's absence, Merida has done a fine job taking her place," Macintosh explained, a sort of pride building up behind her words. "Myself, and fellow young lords would stand behind her, if she chose to rule alone. Wouldn't you, Chieftain?"

Hiccup felt a tinge of anger pinning his chest, the way the boy spoke sounded foolish enough, but it may have been more so that he questioned if Hiccup would support Merida's decision. Then again, Hiccup thought, maybe if was that he hadn't considered that decision an option, and so to have it questioned so abruptly was as upsetting as the young lord's attitude.

"Tell me Hiccup," The boy continued, not waiting for the viking to respond to his previous question. "Can you fight without your lizard to eat your foes?" He sent a daring look to Toothless, who responded with a low, tormenting growl and a glance at his rider. "Or is a fishbone like you to scared to face a true warrior without a fire-breathing menace by your side?"

"Are you asking me to fight you?" Hiccup stammered, bewildered for a moment by the boy's question. Was that why he was being so off-putting? He was looking for a fight? Surely there was a better explanation, but one that Hiccup didn't want to waste time finding. "Because I'm not going to do that." He stated plainly. "Why would I do that? You'd definitely win."

Macintosh raised a brow at Hiccup, clearly taken aback by his disregard of the situation. His dark brown hair began to hang in his face as he lowered his head a little to meet Hiccup's eyes. "You are a Viking Chief who will not fight?" He asked, confusion and resentment equally prominent in his tone. "And yet you've caught the eye of Merida. How does that make sense?" He asked. "Surely a coward could not have taken the throne of his father." That was it, Hiccup decided. The conversation needed to end.

"I've lost to many thing's that are important to waste time on fights like this." Hiccup said seriously. "Whatever your problem is with me -or maybe it's my dragons, I don't really care- you'll need to learn to get over it, or live with it, but this isn't something I'm willing to settle by fighting with you." Hiccup thought about taking a step closer to Artair Macintosh, thinking that he may be able to intimate the boy into backing off, but after considering the implications (really just the few inches that Macintosh held over the viking chief) he realized that it word be better to walk away.

Without another moment to reconsider his options, Hiccup took off walking back towards the crowds, Toothless trotting along beside him.When they were far enough away, Hiccup and Toothless took to the skies, circulating the small fair before darting off the forests. Hiccup wondered if he should be worried at all about Artair Macintosh. He hadn't heard of the boy before, but had of his father, Lord Macintosh. They were located on the Western shores of Scotland, a day or two trip from Dunbroach. A clan with a history of battling first and asking questions later. Hiccup realized that confrontations with Vikings may have been to blame for the boy's demeanor. He noted this, but didn't forgive his actions, surely the pair would have another conversation before Hiccup would head home. What felt like a lifetime away.

----------Author's Notes: ---------

Just another short chapter. It's obviously just to introduce another one of the lords and a little senseless drama (because I suck at plot development ) because I haven't updated in a while and kind of have been dealing with a lot of shit right now in my personal life. So yeah, I might write a couple one-shots though, just to try loosening up a little.

 I won't say if Macintosh has feelings for Merida or not, I want to hear your thoughts on the matter before I give it away. Also, I tried to find a name that I could see Young Macintosh having, and while I don't think Artair is perfect for him it was the first name I saw that I think could at least function as his name. 

Do you guys like these little info things at the bottom, or are they annoying? I know this ones pretty explanatory to anyone who's seen the films, but I realized I didn't do it for Stormcutter and Gronkles before so...

Stormcutter*- A owl-like dragon listed as a sharp-class species. They are large, lean dragons with ecellent eye-sight and a set of four wings, similar to a dragon fly.

Gronkle** - A round, rock like species of dragon. They eat boulders and stones and spit out a moltent mix opposed to fire. They are known for their lazy, self-sustaining demeanor, an exception of this being Meatlug (Fishleg's dragon) who has a notably kind personality, and actively fights with the other dragons and riders to the best of her ability.

Artair*** - A Scottish/Celtic name equivalent to Arthur, meaning "Rock" or "Bear". It can also be an Anglo-Saxon name, meaning "Like an Eagle". I gave him this name for his stubborn personality (the bear thing is a fun side-note) and that it may be a name Hiccup himself would be familiar with a meaning of.