The Queen and The Chief.

Tears

Twelfth day of autumn, Castle of Dun'Broch.

The alliance was a very popular suggestion. Before I could even say it out loud, Astrid and Eret were already gathering our men and telling them the news. After a small conference we all had, in which I announced peace was ought to be negotiated, everyone's moods hit the roof. It's safe to assume the Scots also want to end this quarrel, for they invited our council (being Astrid, Eret, mum, Snotlout, and me) into the castle and offered decent accommodations. The terms of the alliance are to be determined tomorrow morning.

On the other hand, Toothless is gone. I have no idea where him and Thundercloud could've gone, but they haven't been seen in four days. We are not going back to Berk until Toothless comes back, and that's my last word.

Astrid and Stormfly have been patrolling, searching for at least a sign of my dragon, but they always come empty-handed and with an apologetic frown.

Yes, I'm devastated, but Merida and Astrid have been the biggest supports I could ever ask for. They both have their ways upon me, and although Astrid and Eret are engaged, my love for her is platonic and undying, should I live a miserable life, as long as she's happy. As long as Toothless is happy, too, Merida's been trying to tell me.

And so, love being the biggest of my worries, I become a lousy poet submerged in the body of a chief. I consider myself all but a chief: an inventor, a lover, a dragon befriender, an explorer. Really, anything but a chief. Just as Merida doesn't ever see herself as a Queen. Long live Elinor, so Merida can live happily as she has up until now.

Ah, Dear Odin! Listen to what I call for: Bring me my best friend, bring me myself back from the depths of this fogginess I've gotten myself into!

As Hiccup kept on writing, a scorching cold ran deadly through his skin. He stood up and ran outside the small structure he had been resting in. Judging by the silence and the cold, windless night, he guessed it was very early in the morning. Being used to taking midnight walks, he found himself wandering through the bridge that connected the kingdom of Dun'Broch to the forest.

Something in his guts had been yelling, calling him into the cruel darkness of the forest, and he followed such instinct, struggling to keep his nerves at bay. He quickly saw why had he been led into that part of the woods: it was a narrow cliff, rocky and sharp, and at the very edge, a hooded figure stood, staring at the raging river beside them.

He listened as he walked near the person. Whomever it was, they were weeping rather miserably, as a small child missing their mother's breast.

"Merida?" Called Haddock with a broken voice.

The dark hood jumped in its place and after a few seconds, she turned to face Hiccup, revealing Merida herself. She was wearing a rose tinted nightgown and a longish kilt tied over it. The hood she was wearing was the one she always used, black and with a few bloodstains she didn't seem to mind. Her eyes were red and puffy and her lower lip trembled, trying to hold back a bitter cry.

"Oh" she said softly. "Hey Hiccup, I didn't hear you coming."

He walked beside her and stared down the cliff. The moon lit the river making it look like a silver chain, splashing, roaring, killing like a cruel sword. The princess sat down in the edge, legs hanging, and hugged herself as a silent tear ran across her face. Hiccup sat over the edge as well, leg crossed and facing his friend.

"Do tell me, why are you crying?" He asked, completely forgetting everything one was supposed to do when a dear friend suffered.

"I am not" said Merida, coldly drying her cheek with a corner of her black robe.