The Scots have agreed to let the Vikings bring their sons in hopes of creating an alliance by marriage. Will Merida be able to choose a husband, or will history be repeated?

No ones POV

Merida sat at her window, staring at the road leading to the castle. She had one elbow on the window sill, supporting her head, the other in her lap holding a sewing pattern that she was supposed to be working on. She watched the road, waiting for the arrival of the new suitors. She didn't want to married, and like the last time, she and her mother had argued for weeks about the arrangement. But her mother was determined for her daughter to get married, and when her mother decided on something, there was no arguing.

Merida was deep in thought, and didn't notice her mother, Queen Elinor, walk in. Her mother was tall, slender, and beautiful. She walked with confidence, and grace, and she never did anything that she deemed, 'unladylike.' She watched her daughter for a moment, Merida was a very pretty young woman, but the queen worried if her future husband would be able to deal with her spirit.

"Merida?" She called out softly.

Merida jumped to her feet, knocking over the stool she had been sitting on, startled by the sudden interruption to her thoughts.

"Mum! How long have he been standing there?" She asked, she hated it when people watched her, she felt more vulnerable that way.

"Not long," her mother replied, "Ah came to see how yer sewing was
coming."

Merida looked down at the cloth in her hands. "Ah have been a little distracted," she looked up at her mother nervously.

Her mother stepped forward and took the cloth, carefully examining the few sloppy stitches. She gave a slight frown, "it's a bit sloppy, but yer coming along."

The two stood in silence for a few moments, looking at each other.

"Well," her mother sighed, "it's time to put yer dress on.

"Aw, mum! They ain't even here yet!" She complained.

"Ay, but I would like to go over some things while yer in the dress." She said, "and I need to make sure it still fits."

"I tried it on just a few weeks ago! And you've double my lessons fer the last week an' a half!" Merida said as she angrily plopped onto the bed.

The queen gave her daughter a disapproving look and crossed to Merida's wardrobe. She preceded to pull out beautiful, purple dress, that had gold seems around the bottom and the sleeves.

"Come on Merida, I am NOT going to fight you on this." The queen had obviously been through this routine many times before.

Merida mumbled, but consented to letting her mother stuff her into the fitted dress. The dress was very flattering on the young girl, but she obviously felt much more comfortable in her usual loose, dark green dress.

Meanwhile

Hiccups POV

After being on the road for so long, Hiccup was getting tired of listening to his father talking.

"When you meet the princess, make sure you smile, and don't say anything that will offend the king or queen, or the Scots," Stoick rambled.

Hiccup had stopped listening hours ago, but his father hadn't seemed to notice. He tried, once again, to reposition himself on the horse he was riding. He still didn't understand why he couldn't ride Toothless. He looked up to see the dark shape of his dragon in between the clouds. His father had told him that he only wanted to bring toothless, and with all their supplies it would take more than one dragon. Hiccup didn't believe that story though. He guessed that his father was afraid that the Scots wouldn't like the dragons.

"HICCUP!" His father yelled.

"Huh? What?" He said, startled.

"Have you been listening to me at all? I asked you a question!" He said, obviously very irritated.

"Um, no," he replied sheepishly, "it's just, you've already told me all of this! I'm 21 years old, I can conduct myself in front of other people!"

"Alright, alright, I know, but I want to make a good impression, considering the history we have with these people." His father said.

"We'll be fine dad," he laughed a bit at his dad nervousness, "I don't think I've seen you so nervous about meeting people."

"This marriage could mean peace between us and the Scots! Of course I'm nervous!" He replied.

Hiccup smiled, "I was joking dad!"

Stoick smiled and laughed at himself, before turning his attention in front of them. "I think we are almost there, about 3 miles I would say."

Hiccup smiled, he couldn't wait to get back on Toothless.

Merida's POV

Merida stood in the throne room, waiting for her mother to get back with her father. She fiddled with her sleeve, nervous for the arrival of her suitors. Her three younger brothers were being wrangled up by some of the servants, but Merida doubted they would be here for the introduction of the suitors.

"I found yer father, and it seems that yer brothers are causing a bit of trouble, so ah don't think they will be joining us," The queen said as she entered the room.

Merida sighed as she watched her mother, closely followed by her father, walk to the door that led to the courtyard.

As she opened the door, the queen looked back at her daughter. "Ah know you don't like this, but it could mean peace between us and the Vikings."

Merida have her mother a slight nod.
As much as she didn't want to get married, she was a princess, and it was her duty to do what was right for her people. As soon as the door closed behind her parents Merida began to pace back in forth in front of the wooden chairs that served as the thrones. Her fathers throne was large, tall, and intricately carved with traditional Celtic designs all around the rims, base, and armrests. The two thrones on either side were the same size as each other, but shorter than the middle throne, and not nearly as decorative. Merida sat down in her seat and leaned back. Her foot tapped the floor in front of her impatiently. All she could think about was the near future, hoping that whomever she chose would not stop her from the things she loves.