In Another Lifetime

Chapter 22 - Mend the Bond

Hiccup ran where he knew Merida would be. He ran as fast as he could, but whatever he did he wouldn't catch up with her. That didn't matter, because he knew where she'd go. The same place she went whenever she was mad at him in their past lives. The forest. Or the closest thing to it.

Hiccup went out of the camp's main entrance and spotted her footprints on the dirt track. He followed them closely, still within the grounds but there was more greenery and trees where Merida had ran.

After a few minutes of walking through the small woodland, Hiccup spotted a head of flaming hair bent over and sobbing over her navy jeans. He approached gingerly, but Merida didn't hear him. He bent down beside her and placed a hand upon her chin, making her head snap up like a shot. Her eyes were swollen and bloodshot from crying, and she wasn't in the least bit pleased to see him.

"What are you doing here?" Merida snarled.

"I wanted to apologise," Hiccup looked at her pleadingly. "And also offer an explanation."

"I am not listening to anythingyou have to say," Merida pushed him away forcefully, adding, "you can't make me."

"Then I won't speak," Hiccup held onto her hand as he said quietly, "just let me show you. Please, Merida."

Merida laughed manically: "It's pretty hard to apologise to someone without speaking."

"Then let me!" Hiccup took her by her shoulders but Merida shoved him off of her. Hiccup grew impatient and shouted at her, "Merida for once in your life will you please just listen to me?"

"SHUT IT!" Merida yelled and rose from where she had been sitting. "I saw what you did with her! That whole 'she's bullying me', that's a great cover, very clever. So clever in fact, that I believed you. I stood up for you and helped you. But you didn't need any help with her. You were cheating on me the whole time! You never loved me! You lying bastard!"

Hiccup felt like he'd taken shots to the stomach at Merida's last words. He staggered backwards and fell to the floor with his head in his hands.

"What have I done?" Hiccup's voice cracked as he spoke to himself, tearing his hair and clawing his face frantically. "What have I done?"

"Enough for me to end whatever we had," Merida said snappily. "Goodbye Hiccup." Without warning, she turned on her heel and walked away.

Hiccup felt his heart crack as he saw Merida leave. He couldn't move, not that there was any point in doing so. She'd only push him further away. What was the point of this anymore? What could he possibly do to make this work again?

      * * *
Merida was running through the halls when she ran headfirst into Astrid. Merida shoved her away and continued running.

"Good day, Redhead?" Astrid yelled after her. Merida just kept running; she didn't stop until she got to hers and Rapunzel's dormitory. She opened the door and collapsed onto her bed. Rapunzel approached her slowly.

"What happened with you and Hiccup?" Rapunzel asked quietly.

"Whatever we had is over," Merida stared at the ceiling, examining a spider web which had long since been abandoned by it's creator. "I can't believe I was so stupid..."

"Did you listen to what he had to say?"

"I didn't need to. He kissed Astrid. That's all there is to it. That's all I need to know."

"Merida, he didn't kiss Astrid."

"Of course he did. I'm through with the lies."

"Merida, really. Astrid flung herself on him when she saw you watching. Jack and I reckon she's being employed by Mordu to push you apart."