Merida POV

I ride into the forest happily on my horse, Angus, letting the wind whip through my tangled, red mane. My name is Merida. Merida DunBroch. Unfortunately, I'm the Princess. I have duties, responsibilities, expectations and absolutely no freedom! The only thing close to freedom is what I'm doing now.

Today is the only day of this week I don't have any lessons. I spend my un-lessoned days riding through the glen, shooting arrows into the sunset; well that's how my dad describes it anyway. Today's a day with no duties, responsibilities or expectations. A day I have the chance to change my fate.

As I shoot the last of the targets Angus jumps skilfully over a log leading to a small clearing next to the river. Apple trees are scattered around the clearing and fish swim contently in the water. I use my bow to catch 4 fish and collect a basket of apples for Angus. I sit on a large rock my the riverside enjoying the freshly picked apples whilst cooking the fish. "If only everyday would be like today, right Angus?" I sigh, stroking his silky snout.

A loud crack of branches is heard from behind me. I grab my bow out of instinct and load an arrow into it in case I'm in need of using it. A big, black creature falls through the trees and tumbles into the the clearing. I step out of the way pulling Angus with me as the beast rolls into the river. "Toothless!" I hear a boy's voice yell "could you have at least avoided the water?"

I look back at the beast from behind Angus and notice a young boy, around the age of 15 or 16, rising from the river. He has forest-green eyes and brown, scruffy hair. His figure isn't muscular but isn't overly skinny. He wears a light green tunic with a brown fur vest over the top, brown trousers and big, brown fur boots.

He looks up and notices me. As he does, his eyes widen in terror. I hide quickly behind Angus again as I clutch onto my bow. My back leans on Angus' leg as I try to think of a decent enough plan. He doesn't look too much of a threat and carries no weapons other than a small dagger. Altogether, he can't do much harm, but I'm not taking any chances. I turn around to grab Angus' reins and run but notice a slight flaw in the plan. While I'd been thinking of a get away escape route, the boy had made his way in front of Angus and was now staring right at me.

"W-who are you? And w-why are you here?" I stutter raising my bow at him.

His eyes widen as he raises his hands above his head "woah! I'm Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and I just crash landed here on my dragon." he says innocently.

I lower my bow slightly as I look into his eyes; he seems to be telling the truth. "Wait? Dragon?" I ask in confusion.

"Yeah, want to meet Toothless?" he asks nervously, eyeing my bow. I place the arrow back in my quiver. He relaxes instantly.

"Toothless?" I ask "I'm sure dragons are supposed to have teeth." I look at him, confused.

"They are, I only called him Toothless because when I met him, he retracted his teeth. When he wants to eat he just... un-retracts them if you know what I mean." I nod my head slowly. "Come on." He says holding out his hand. I take it reluctantly. A shock of electricity rushes up my arm and across my shoulders. I snatch my hand away quickly and look at him questioningly. By the looks if it, he felt it too and has no idea what it was.

"I think it would be best if I just followed you" I suggest. He nods his head and walks towards the water. 'Toothless' is on the riverside, shaking like a dog in attempt to dry himself. I follow behind Hiccup warily eyeing the dragon.

"Okay Toothless! Meet our new friend!" Hiccup announces gesturing to me. I walk forward slowly and stand behind him. "Toothless meet ... er... um..." he stutters.

"Merida" I state. "Merida DunBroch"

"Okay then. Toothless meet Merida. Merida meet Toothless." I wave to the dragon timidly not wanting to anger him. He glares at me and bears his not-so-toothless teeth. I take a cautious step behind Hiccup making him chuckle slightly. "Give him a fish or something, he'll like that." He advises. I nod my head and take my bow from my shoulder. I make my way around Toothless to the river and step into the cool water. A large salmon crosses my path and I shoot it in one attempt. I turn to Hiccup and Toothless and notice Hiccup staring at me and Toothless licking his lips with wide eyes looking at the fish.

I wade back to them "quit staring." I click my fingers in front of Hiccup's face and he snaps out of his trance. His cheeks flush with a pinkish blush as he rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. I slowly walk towards Toothless holding the salmon at arms length. He sniffs it suspiciously, then seems to shrug and gulp it down. His sudden movement makes me fall backwards onto a small boulder.

"I think you've earned his trust." Hiccup announces happily "the only downside is... well... you'll find out." I look back at him worriedly before turning back to Toothless. His eyes are locked in mine as he decreases the space between us. His pupils are dilated, searching me for more food. I flatten myself onto the rock I'm leaning against to give him a few more milemeters to go before he reaches me.

"I don't have anymore," I say, staring into his glaring eyes. His glare softens as I here a disgusting noise coming from his stomach like he's about to throw up. My eyes find Hiccup's only to find them filled with laughter. A smirk spreads across his face and I know what comes next cant be good.

Just as I was about to turn my attention back to Toothless, I feel a heavy, wet object land on my lap. I turn my head slowly to see what mysterious item landed itself on my dress. My jaw drops when I find half if the salmon covered in a disgusting, clear slime in front of me. I immediately move my eyes to Toothless who seems to be content with himself. He sits like a dog with his tongue hanging out and his tail wagging. He looks at the fish, then me, the fish, then me. I feel Hiccup crouch to the right of me "He wants you to eat it." he whispers reluctantly.

My head turns to him immediately and my eyes lock on his. He takes a nervous step back. "He wants me to eat it!" I ask. He just nods. I slide my fingers towards the fish feeling the revolting texture of his saliva drip through my fingers. The horrid smell of it gets stronger as I lift my hands slowly to my mouth. Hesitating slightly, I bite into it's soft flesh, chew a little and reluctantly swallow. "Ugh!" I shiver placing the salmon on the ground next to me. I slowly rise from the ground and feel a hand on my shoulder.

I turn to see Hiccup "Toothless likes you!" he grins "its just not too pleasant on how you earn his liking." he chuckles. I nod my head and giggle slightly before sitting myself on a nearby rock. Hiccup joins me.

We sit in an awkward silence for a few minutes before I finally speak up "So how did you find him?" I ask Hiccup.

"Well, long story short. I shot him down; found him in a cove with part of his tail missing; befriended him; made him a new tail and it kind of went on from there." he explains.

"What about your foot?" I ask turning to a metal contraption on the end of his left leg.

"I was being attacked by a giant, green Queen-dragon, the Red Death, and fell off Toothless when it's tail hit us. We both fell into the raging fire below us. Toothless managed to save me by wrapping his wings around me as a fire-proof barrier and I survived. He couldn't save all of me so, now we're even. Half a tail for a foot." he says. I laugh lightly at his final sentence. "So, how did you learn how to shoot? You're a lady, why are you practising something like that?"

"When me and my parents were on a camping trip on the border of Scotland for my 7th birthday, my father gave me my very own bow. I practised shooting with him and shot an arrow into the woods, I went to get it and got a little bit lost. The will o' the wisps led me back to the camp and I told my mum all about the wisps. My dad didn't believe a word of it because he doesn't believe in magic of any sort. My mum picked me up and I screamed. A giant, black bear was towering above us with scratches and littered weapons all over him. My dad tried to fight it and lost his leg. We call the bear Mor'du he's apparently a demon bear but I'm not too sure, that might just be another of our legends." I pause and look at Hiccup, he motions me to carry on. "I then practised archery loads and eventually became the archer I am today. I can only ride through the forest on Angus and go shooting on days like today. Days where I don't have my bloody princess lessons!" I instantly cover my mouth as I realise what information I just let slip.

"Wait! Princess?" Hiccup asks wide eyed.

"I didn't mean to mention it..." I begin but get interrupted by Hiccup.

"You should've told me sooner! I wouldn't have let a Princess eat a salmon from my dragon's gut!" He rants.

"That's exactly why I didn't want to tell you!" I say.

"So you wanted to eat the fish?" he asks raising a confused eyebrow at me.

"Not exactly," I admit "but I didn't want to tell you I was a Princess because you'd treat me differently and more formal which I can't stand!" I explain slowly.

He just nods before asking "can you... um ... teach me how to shoot?"

"It would be my pleasure," I say placing my hand firmly on his shoulder. He smiles weakly at me as I take my spare bow and quiver off Angus "lets begin!" I announce.

After a few minutes of shooting Hiccup lowers the bow. He had only hit the target 3 times and only by a few centimetres. "This is no use!" he says sadly "I can't shoot! Sorry to waste your time Merida." He apologises bowing his head.

I stand in front of him placing one hand on his shoulder and the other on his chin, lifting his head up to look at me. "You're not wasting my time Hic!" I say firmly "Its a pleasure to teach someone something that is so close to my heart." I explain. I move my hand to the bow and close my hand over his. The same electric feeling shoots through my arm like the first time but decide to ignore it. I notice a tint of pink appear in his cheeks and feel mine flare up suddenly, as well, but carry in with teaching Hiccup. "First thing's first, load the bow."

"Okey dokey captain!" He says saluting quickly before taking an arrow out of the quiver and loading it onto the bow.

I enclose my hand over his clutching the string so I'm basically hugging him from behind but not exactly. His face turns crimson as I continue my teaching "make sure you keep both eyes open and concentrate on your target." I order "pull the string back to a tension you feel will create enough force... and..." I take my hands away from his "...release." He lets go of the string sending the arrow flying toward the target.

A slight tearing sound is heard as the arrow slices through the target on the bullseye! Hiccup's eyes light up instantly and he jumps around ecstatically. "I did it! I did it! I did it!" he cheers waving his arms above his head and bounding around the clearing like a kangaroo.

"You sure did!" I say smiling "I told you you could."

"Thanks Mer, I owe you one." he pats me gently on the back sending a shiver down my spine.

"No problem Hic." I say whilst turning to look at him. I gaze at his bright, forest-green eyes for a moment too long before turning away to look at my shoulder. He still hasn't taken his hand away. I notice Toothless advancing next to the shoulder where Hiccup's hand is. He nudges me slightly "what's up Toothless?" I ask him, confused. I only receive another shove, slightly stronger this time.

"What's wrong with you Toothless?" I hear Hiccup ask firmly, still not removing his hand from my shoulder. I turn to face him, forgetting all about Toothless who remained behind me.

It only took one rough shove from Toothless to send me sprawling on top of Hiccup. Our faces are inches apart; my cheeks flush a deep scarlet and my palms begin to sweat. Hiccup's face turns pink also. "I... er... I'm really... Really s-sorry." I stutter, my heart beating at the speed of light.

"I-it's alright," he stutters back. I look up slightly to see Toothless sitting contently, smiling his toothless smile.

"You planned that!" I accuse "you planned that didn't you Toothless?" Hiccup awkwardly turns to see his dragon smirking teasingly at us. "God he's annoying." I whisper to Hiccup.

"Too right," he chuckles. Turning back to me so our noses are only an inch or so away from each other's. I feel something heavy pushing my head down, closer and closer to Hiccup's face. I try to push against the force slightly but find it far too strong to go against so let it push me to Hiccup. We become so close our lips press together lightly sending a wave of electricity pulsing through my body. This time it's an electricity I can stand, not the sudden, almost painful ones from before.

I'm relieved of the weight above my head but don't budge. I feel Hiccup's hand slowly making its way up my arm to my shoulder while the other wraps itself around my waist. We pull away slightly. "Maybe Toothless isn't so annoying after all." I smirk.

"Agreed," He replies tucking a loose curl behind my ear before leaning in for a second time.

A/n Yay! Second one-shot done! Whenever I write a one-shot and you think there should be a part 2 just tell me and I will try to work something out for it although some of them I may disagree on ad leave it as it is.

Any ideas will be appreciated.

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~cmstevens13 xx