As they rode back to Castle Dunbroch, Hiccup found that he was much steadier on Angus than he had been on the way there. But this didn't mean he was going to turn down the excuse of staying close to Merida. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held on tightly, but not too tightly. He felt so happy and content he let his head sink into her shoulder.

"Hic?"

"Hmm?"

"Could yeh nae dae tha' when Ah'm tryin' ter get us home?"

Hiccup smiled.

"Sorry Mer."

"Don' worry. Yeh'll see me later anyway, when yeh're on guar' duty."

"The one good part of my shift tonight."

Merida chuckled.

"Yeh're one of the biggest flirters Ah knae."

"I do try," Hiccup grinned.

They rode through the forest and soon the looming grey walls of the castle arose over the horizon. They rode through the castle gates; it was late and no one was around. The moonlight was reflected on Hiccup's armour and Merida's necklace; they made their way to the stables and Merida helped Hiccup off of Angus, he still wasn't used to the dismount yet.

"Ah'm goin' ter need ter teach yeh how ter ride properly," she smiled as she put the saddle away.

"Not just yet," Hiccup smiled shyly, somehow losing the brazenness of before.

"Is tha' just an excuse to see me?"

"Maybe," Hiccup shuffled his feet slightly and smiled again. Merida paused for a moment, then pulled him into a hug. Hiccup was completely taken aback, but held her close as soon as he realised what was going on. Merida was just ecstatic that she'd got the guts to finally do it.

"Thank ye," she whispered, "fer an amazin' day."

"You're the amazing one here."

"Dae yeh ever stop flirtin'?"

"Probably not."

Merida laughed and took his hand, pulling him out of the stables, up towards the castle.

"Come on," she grinned, "yeh've got guar' duty haven't yeh?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Hiccup relished the feeling of their hands connected together, as one. Her fingers were long and thin, but elegantly so. Her hands were slightly more worked than you might expect for a princess, but Merida wasn't a princess by choice. She was a princess because she had to be. She was forced into a role that she didn't want or need; Merida was a free spirit that was trapped in the confines of rules and social acceptability.

They reached the castle and they ascended the flights of stairs to Merida's room. It was sligtly isolated from the rest of the castle which was why Merida needed her own guard at night. She usually hated it, they'd invade her privacy and try and talk to her. But Hiccup was different. Hiccup had no choice about being a soldier either. His land had been destroyed and he needed the work, so he joined the army. His father was staying in the castle itself with Fergus, the king, because Stoik was given shelter on the condition that he help Scotland out with the decision of whether to join the fight for Jerusalem or not. (They forgot that Vikings believe in the Norse gods but still...)

Merida pulled the door open and went inside. Hiccup hung back awkwardly, not knowing whether to go in or not. Merida saw him standing in the doorway and rolled her eyes.

"Yeh knae, Ah won' bite!' Merida laughed and pulled him in. The force of Merida's pull seemed to be slightly more powerful than either of them had anticipated, and they found themselves extremely close to each other, hands clasped tightly together and their faces mere inches apart.

"Er -" Hiccup mumbled as he stared into her eyes, "I shouldn't be doing this, it's against my laws as a soldier and -"

"Ah believe tha' rules are made ter be broken," Merida whispered. But she sensed that Hiccup was uneasy so she drew away slightly.

"It's not that -" Hiccup held on to her arm and looked into her eyes pleadingly. "- I just don't think now is the right time or place. We can't do this."

"Why nae?" Merida's eyes were wide and sorrowful. "Why nae? Tell me!"

"We've only just met -"

"An'?"

"You, for one! You're going to be married off to one of the clan's sons! It would never work!"

"Can' we try?"

"I thought you hated men. You didn't want to marry."

"Ah must ha'e been mistaken."

Hiccup sighed before Merida spoke again.

"Look, Ah knae yeh think it's wrong. Bu', Ah jus' wan' ter try. Jus', jus' once..."

She placed her hand upon his black metal armour and traced the battle scars and scratches left there. Hiccup's heart was pumping at the speed of light; he felt a blush creeping up his cheeks. Was it the heat of the fire in the grate or the blazing inferno that was his heart? He didn't know.

"Ah'm sorry," Merida whispered, "Ah have ter..."

She pressed her lips upon his and Hiccup's heart exploded. He never imagined that she'd be this beauticul, this incredible, or that kissing could be this sensational. She tasted of the fruits of the forest, blackberries and raspberries. The fruits of freedom. She was running her fingers through his auburn hair and Hiccup found himself kissing her back subconciously. It was like a reflex - he couldn't help but give himself to the gorgeous girl in front of him. Then his conscience came crashing in upon him and he scrunched up his eyes.

"Merida - stop."

"Ah'm sorry - Ah jus' -"

"It's not your fault. I just can't let myself. I'll go insane. I have to go. I'm sorry."

"Hiccup - don' -!"

He had already left the room. Merida walked over to her bed, sat down upon it and buried her face in her hands. Why would he walk out on her?