You Changed my Fate

Slowly Falling for You

Merida hands were outstretched, heated from the ferocious fire. Her eyes watched the flames intently, her mind coursing through the violent waves of her thoughts.

She was stupid for leaving without a plan. It was bad enough that she was hiding the truth of her being a princess from Hiccup, now she had to hide it from a whole village. Her hair made it obvious she was the heir of King Fergus, and her accent was sure to give it away she was from Scotland.

Hiccup walked over, setting down his basket of supplies. He gazed at the night skies, stars glimmering brightly. "We should be able to travel fast enough to arrive tomorrow." He said, his eyes now watching the flames dance.

Merida nodded, retrieving her hands. "You're going to hide me right?" She asked, quickly glancing over to the Viking.

"Of course, I have the perfect spot."

Merida once again nodded, staring at her dirtied dress. The tension between them was thick, no one had any words to say and the only noise they heard was the cackling of the fire.

"Uh, we should go to sleep. Enjoy the warmth while we have it, Berk is terribly cold." Hiccup spoke, standing up and calling Toothless over.

Hiccup climbed under the dragon's wing, Merida did the same, but she took the other wing.

The moon illuminated the camp as the fire slowly died.

_____

Berk was as cold as Hiccup described it. Merida was given a thin cloak for warmth, but it felt like nothing. Her dress didn't help as all the freezing air traveled up it, making her legs feel numb.

She clung to Hiccup like he was her lifeline, and Hiccup didn't mind. He was used to the coldness, but it was still cold. But with Merida cuddled up against his back, he felt himself flaming.

Merida's hair was tied back into a bun to keep her wild red curls from being noticed. Luckily, it was foggy, so it would be hard to noticed a black dragon in the day with a princess on his back.

They landed while the sun had just rose. Merida gazed at the beautiful cove they were in. Greens and yellows contrasted beautifully, and the small pond in the center shined flawlessly in the sun.

Merida let her hair run free, the hair tie falling to the floor. She fell onto the grass, giggling as the strands tickled her.

Hiccup smiled at the princess, looking maybe a little too long at her gleeful face. She opened her eyes to see the Viking gaze at her.

She stopped laughing, "Are you okay?"

Hiccup snapped out of his trance. He quickly looked away, avoiding eye contact, "Huh? Uh - uh, y-yeah totally, what?"

Merida smiled, standing up and brushing off her dress.
"So, what next?"

Hiccup shrugged, "I should probably get back to my village."

Merida's smile faded, she faced downwards, "A - and what about me?"

Hiccup noticed her distressed face, "Uh....Toothless! Yes, Toothless will watch over you while I'm gone. Don't worry I'll be back."

He gave her a (awkward) hug and ran off. The princess watched him, helplessly.

She fell back onto the grass, groaning. She was such a mess.

A/N: Short chapter, sorry! ~Rain