Meet Me At the Halfway Point

Let's Set Sail

 End of spring (year two) (Day 7)

In the dead of night Hiccup and Toothless set off on a mission for the princess, and it was very important NOT to be seen by anybody! The mission: sneaking onto DunBroch's dock, and stealing a boat. Of course not stealing a giant ship, rather just a tiny rowboat with a small enough sail that no one would notice if it went missing. Merida wanted to use it as practice, to learn as much as she could about sailing for her surprise upcoming trip to clan MacGuffin with her father. They would be leaving in the next two days and Merida couldn't be more excited. Hiccup and Toothless did what they were told and ever so carefully tied ropes all around the rowboat. Then with the ropes hanging around Toothless neck, they carried the sailboat in mid air to a sea shore that was in the opposite direction of the kingdom.

Early the very next morning, all three walked to this newly discovered small shore. Merida and Hiccup said goodbye to Toothless, leaving him to hang around, and both kids set off in the rowboat and into the ocean. It was only after they became a small speck on the water that Toothless ears shot up for he heard a noise. A noise so faint that can not be picked up by human ears, he began to sniff the air- the dragon could sense a storm was coming,a big storm indeed.

The water was calm and the winds at ease, Hiccup and Merida rowed together until they were exploring a whole new area of the island and stopped between large mountains. Merida was facing Hiccup and watched in curiosity as he explained basic sail terms. Hiccup pointed to his left "this side is called port beam" pointing to his right "starboard beam, front is called the bow and back is stem... pretty easy stuff" he finished shrugging his shoulders.

"Thanks Hiccup, but I still feel overwhelmed by how much there is to learn in so little time."

"Well, it is a surprise trip," he joked.

Merida leaped up from her seat in excitement, "'nd a great surprise at that one... there I was just yesterday after Dinner after my wee devil brothers were excused mah parents told me to stay, something they needed to tell me. At first I thought they were gonna ask why I've been disappearing after dinner recently, that would lead them to you, but then my father said his presence was needed at clan MacGuffin 'n' asked if I would like to tag along! Our trip would be no more than a week, but I stood there speechless completely caught by surprise. Then I jumped, screamed in delight, hugging 'n' telling them yes, then immediately running off to tell ya!"

"But you don't have to learn all this in such a hurry...you will have a penalty of time to learn more on a real boat then us in this tiny thing," chuckled Hiccup. "Plus to set sail on a huge boat would take a company of at least 30 men, they would be happy to teach the princess."

"But I don't want to look like a silly clueless princess... this is my first trip 'n' I don't want to seem like a burden to anyone, especially mah father who's looking forward to it as much as I am. You can understand, right Hiccup?"

Hiccup rubbed the back of his neck and gave a playful sigh, "Yeah, I can see what you mean...had my fair share of wanting to impress the people in my village...so I guess I'm here to help." Smiling towards her.

Merida squealed with glee, getting up and turned to the front of the row boat, placed her foot on top and tried to look serious in a victory pose. "The sea is calling me Hiccup, I must obey her!"

Hiccup laughed at his friend, "Well obey it down here while I show you some rope knots."

But Merida wasn't listening, she suggested a new idea when she sat back down, "What if we row out just a bit further? Away from these mountains?" She asked with eagerness.