The Four: Things Will Change

13 ~Welcome to Dragon Training~

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Since the games for betrothal would take place after Gobber's 'dragon training', it would be a waste if they didn't enjoy the festivities prepared by DunBroch today. So they did.

The royal family also decided to join in on the fun. Queen Elinor walked about, monitoring everyone. The three princes were having fun and causing trouble for Maudie, one of the castle's servants. King Fergus was having a drink with the lords, including Stoick, while their sons joined the games. However, Merida stayed in her throne. Her mother told her not to join in the games, for it could spoil her dress.

Even if Elinor did not tell her to, how can she join the games? She can't even walk properly without looking like a penguin.

Young Macintosh would flirt with girls from time to time, Young MacGuffin would sometimes babble in his incomprehensible accent and Wee Dingwall would usually be lost and does not know what to do.

Hiccup, being the not-so-active kind of person, sat on a table near a tree where he drew on his sketchbook.

From her seat, Merida looked about, searching for that familiar face. When she found him, she decided to approach him. First, she struggled to stand up. She almost fell flat on her face. Next, she struggled to approach her father and ask permission to talk to Hiccup. And here comes the waddle.

"Dad?" Merida tapped on Fergus' shoulder.

"Yes, ma wee darling?" Fergus' words were a bit slurred. He must have had too much to drink already.

"Er... Can I speak ta one of the suitors?" Merida requested as softly as she could.

Though despite her low volume, the lords still heard her and they turned to her. Merida laughed nervously in response.

"Oh sure. Sure..." Fergus nodded.

"Thanks, dad," Merida said, "Excuse me, m'lords," she curtsied and tried to walk off as elegant as she could.

The truth was, she saw her mother in the distance watching her. If she walked like she always did and just said 'good-bye' casually, she would be dead.

"Hey," Merida greeted softly as she reached her friend. Again, she struggled to sit down in front of Hiccup. She didn't know he was left-handed.

Oh well. The more you know, as they always say.

"Oh, hey," he lifted his head and kept the sketchbook.

"Whatcha drawin'?" Merida asked, "Can I see?"

"Sure," Hiccup placed the sketchbook back on the table and opened it to his work.

It was the DunBroch castle as viewed from the ocean. It wasn't finished, but it was obvious that it would be amazing when it's done. He caught the details of the castle nicely and the trees of the forest and clouds in the sky were done beautifully.

"It's amazing," Merida said in awe, "I wish I could draw like you," she added.

"Well... it's probably an in-born talent for me," Hiccup laughed slightly as he kept the notebook again.

"Why didn'tcha tell me ye were one of ma suitors?" Merida giggled, "It would be fine, y'know,"

"I just thought it would be a little awkward," Hiccup responded, "Besides, I only found out later into the story. If I had known sooner, I wouldn't have been so careless about you going with me to find Toothless,"

"I see," Merida nodded, "How is that dragon of yers?"

"He's back at the grove where we found him. I'll go back there from time to time to practice flying. Maybe modify the tail's mechanics a bit, too," Hiccup replied, "Why did you chose dragon catching for the games, though?"