Hiccup awoke to find Merida gone, his arms clutching the blanket to him instead of her. He was immediately sent into a panic, sitting up in bed, looking around his room frantically.

"Merida?" He whisper-yelled, worried someone might be listening. He threw the cover aside, standing and walking around his room. "Merida," He tried again. No answer. Fear struck him; if his father had found her, she was most likely dead, or would be soon. He'd been told specifically to stay away from her.

He glanced around his room once more, this time something catching his eye. He stepped up to his bed, seeing a small note written there. He picked it up, reading it, before breathing out a sigh of relief; she was okay. She'd left before his village awakened, saying she didn't want to run the risk of getting caught after all. He flipped the note over, more writing on the back. She would be back later this evening. Hiccup hid the note under his pillow, before proceeding to get ready for the day. He got dressed, sitting on the bed to pull on his boots, then went out to check on Toothless. He gave the dark beast a pat on the head before mounting him.

"Come on, buddy,"

He rubbed the dragon's neck, and they took off. They had no particular destination in mind, only wanting to feel the crisp morning air whipping past them as they flew through the sky, with the clouds. Hiccup loved flying, loved the exhilarating feel, it gave him, adrenaline pumping through his veins as the small voice in the back of his head constantly reminded him of the possibility of falling off his beloved Night Fury to whatever terrain lay below them, a sure death awaiting him.

But he trusted his dragon with his life. He knew if he were to fall, Toothless would save him; he'd already done it, after all. He remembered the first time he'd introduced Merida to the beast; she hadn't been afraid. She almost never was. She knew if her own friend and love trusted Toothless, then he must be harmless, and she trusted him too. Toothless had been protective of Hiccup, however, and been defensive at the start; Merida had simply scolded the creature, explaining that she was completely harmless. Hiccup let out a sigh, glancing down at the water below, a small blue puddle compared to when one was standing on the ground. Oh, why couldn't they just accept their love? He really did love her, and really did wish his father would at least try to understand. He shook his head; he would get his father to accept them, if it was the last thing he ever did.